Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning out to set a training camp for its players to prepare for the upcoming tour of England. Pakistan tour of England comprising 3 T20Is and 3 Tests is scheduled in July, with the longest format being played at the start of the tour.
At a time, when coronavirus cases are rising continuously and the board will have to seek government’s clearance before setting up the camp.
Different plans being considered
According to a report by PTI, PCB is considering the High Performance Center in Lahore for the camp but the problem they have to counter in the process is to house more than 20 players at a time in the centre which is beyond its limit.
“Head coach and chief selector, Misbah-ul-Haq understandably wants at least 25 players in the training camp and a list is being finalised but before it is announced the board wants to create a proper bio-secure environment at the high performance centre so that everyone is safe from COVID-19,” PTI quoted a PCB official as saying.
“Different plans are being looked at but the most important thing is that the board will have to get the final nod from the government before it goes ahead with the tour to England or even the training camp,” the official added.
Players favour a short training camp
Former Pakistan Test captain and batting great Javed Miandad has raised concerns over the current situation and hoped that the governing body would examine everything before sending the team to England.
“I would be worried because the COVID-19 situation in the UK is worse than what it is in Pakistan. I just hope the board examines everything before sending the team to England because it would be a huge risk for the players,” PTI quoted Miandad as saying.
According to the PTI report some players are in favour of a short training camp instead of a three-week training camp in Lahore.
Cricket Ireland gets the approval to resume training
Meanwhile, Ireland Cricket too is set to start their training session again after suspension of cricket activities as the Board has received provisional approval for club cricket to resume training in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland from the government.
“Limited cricket training will be able to resume once two key requirements are fulfilled, first the Irish Government / Northern Ireland Executive formally notify that their respective jurisdiction is moving to Phase 2 or Step 2, and second the cricket clubs undertake pre-opening protocol compliance measures and undertake training,” Cricket Ireland said in an official statement.
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