As a part of preparations of Pakistan's ODI, Twenty20 and Test squads for the tour of Sri Lanka, a training camp to be started from Wednesday (today) under supervision of Coach Dev Whatmore. On Tuesday, members of Pakistani squad for three formats of the game reported to the manager. Pakistan cricket team will be leaving for Sri Lanka on 29th of May, where the team will play a full series of 3 test matches, 5 one-day internationals and two T20 match.
The matches will be played at Pallekele, Colombo, Hambantota and Galle. The training camp will come to an end on May 19. On May 27, the players will also go through a fitness test before departing for Sri Lanka via Dubai. Fielding Coach Julien Fountain will hold special sessions for improving fielding skills of Pakistani players during the training camp. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will also host a reception in honour of Pakistan cricket team on May 26 where incentives for the Asia Cup winning team are likely to be announced. Pakistan won the continental competition in March but the PCB is yet to honour the team.
According to the PCB spokesman, a detailed meeting of the players and the management was held. During the camp, practice matches will also be held. Faisal Iqbal, a middle-order batsman who was selected for test side is eager to cement his place in the Test side.
Mohammad Ayub Dogar who was selected for Test squad is wary of the 'tight competition' in Pakistan's middle order. Iqbal has played 26 Tests, the last of which was in January 2010. The recall has been triggered by Iqbal's steady performance in the Quaid-e-Azam 2011-12 season, where he averaged 46.87. He also scored two hundreds in the two games he played for Sindh in the Faysal Bank Pentangular Cup, aggregating 263 runs at an average of 87.66 in the tournament. Mohammad Ayub Dogar (32) having been among the top performers on the domestic circuit and having scored heavily since 2009.