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Twenty to twenty-five probables for Pakistan’s upcoming tour to England will be named in third week of May for first phase of conditioning and training camp, which start at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore from May 20, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), stated chief selector Wasim Bari.

“We will be picking the probables on the basis of form and fitness for the training camp and select the 16-member squad during the camp,” he told.

He said the second and final phase of the camp would be conducted from June 9 to 21 in Lahore. He added that during the late first phase of the training camp, selectors would finalise the 16-member squad.

“England tour will be the toughest for the Pakistan team, keeping in view the variable playing conditions there,” he said. “Taking all the aspects into consideration, we will select a balanced squad,” Bari maintained.

Bari while admitting said that fielding and fitness are still Pakistan team’s gray areas and a lot of emphasis will be given to more than 100 percent fitness of the players.

“We kept analysing, the performance of players during the home series against England and India, and during the recent tour to Sri Lanka and will pick the best lot accordingly,” he remarked.

He said that selectors would be delighted to pick the speedster, Shoaib Akhtar, in the team if he proved his fitness in conditioning camp.

“The main objective of the first phase of the camp will be to judge the fitness of the players,” he said.

Regarding selection of Shahid Afridi in Test matches, Bari described it as an emotional decision and said being a young player, Afridi can easily play in both brands of the game. Wasim Bari said they would be considering Shahid Afridi, both for Test matches and One-day Internationals, because they have received no official instructions from the top PCB officials.

While admitting Pakistan’s opening batting problem, Bari stated that all the candidates for the slot have been given equal opportunities and fair chances including three southpaws — Imran Farhat, Salman Butt and Taufiq Umar, along with right-handed batsman Shoaib Malik.

He said keeping in mind, the seam and swing bowling conditions in England, best pace attack will be picked with right arm spinner who would play an important role in dry second half conditions in England.

Bari once again reiterated that rotation of strike by the batsmen and taking one or two singles in every over is important in one-day cricket match. “Rotation of strike not only bothers the bowler, but it provides equal opportunity to the batsmen (at the crease) to settle down quickly,” Bari noted.

Source: The News

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