Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi met the players in the ongoing training camp under the supervision of Pakistan Army at Pakistan Military Academy Kakul Abbottabad.
According to a PCB release, Mohsin Naqvi visited Kakul in Abbottabad and personally observed the fitness camp organized by Pakistan Army trainers for Pakistan T20 players. In addition to reviewing the camp, it was also to thank the Pakistan Army for its support in organizing the camp. The Fitness Camp Military Academy Kakul is playing an important role in enhancing the physical capabilities of Pakistan players and its main objective is to ensure that they are in the best shape for the upcoming cricket assignments which are scheduled to take place in June this year. CCT 20 World Cup is also included.
A PCB release said that Chairman PCB interacted with the players and personally appreciated them for their dedication and active participation in the camp. He expressed satisfaction over the enthusiasm of the players and their determination to increase their fitness. Apart from the meeting with the players, Chairman PCB also held a meeting with the selection committee to discuss the selection of the team for the T20 series against New Zealand, in which captain Babar Azam was also present. Chairman PCB also took the members into confidence on the progress made by the board regarding the appointment of the head coach. Mohsin Naqvi said that I want to thank the Pakistan Army from the bottom of my heart for supporting our cricketers. The cooperation of Pakistan Army will not only increase the fitness level of our athletes but also make them more disciplined in future. Chairman PCB said that this camp will definitely put the players in a stable position ahead of a challenging journey leading to the world tournament in USA and West Indies. The PCB is there to provide full support to its players by equipping them with the necessary equipment and resources to perform at their best at the international level.
According to the report, he also met captain Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi and took the decision regarding the change of captain of the ODI and T20 cricket team into confidence. Mohsin Naqvi asked the selection committee members and national squad players about the fitness camp and training. According to the sources, while shaking hands with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi had a dialogue, to which the fast bowler replied that his heart is completely clear and he does not want to escalate the matter. On this occasion, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi admitted the mistake of PCB in front of Shaheen Shah Afridi. In his address to the players, Mohsin Naqvi said that all the powers for the selection of the team have been given to the selection committee. It should be noted that Shaheen had expressed his displeasure at being removed from the leadership after Babar Azam was handed over the leadership of the national team. The matter was going on now that the board had officially issued a statement to make Babar Azam the limited overs captain, which includes Shaheen’s statement, but the former captain seemed to be unaware of this statement, sources claimed that Shaheen Shah Afridi was sleeping after breaking his fast and at the same time, PCB released the news in his name. Pakistan Cricket Board had released a statement on behalf of Shaheen Shah Afridi to give up the captaincy and accept Babar Azam as the captain. The statement attributed to Shaheen in the statement issued by PCB said that I have played under the captaincy of Babar Azam and have respect for him.
