Pakistan Cricket Board invites top cricketers for ‘connection camp’

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has organized a one-day connection camp in Lahore on September 23, bringing together the nation's top cricketers, following the conclusion of the final pool match of the Champions One-Day Cup on September 22.

Star players, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Saim Ayub, have been invited to participate in the camp. Pakistan's white-ball head coach, Gary Kirsten, will be present, along with red-ball coach Jason Gillespie, who is set to arrive in Lahore on September 22.

The camp aims to foster discussions regarding the future of Pakistan cricket and prepare the players for the upcoming Champions Trophy. In a previous meeting with the head coaches and mentors of the ongoing Champions One-Day Cup, Kirsten emphasized the need for consistency in playing style across domestic and international cricket.

The white-ball head coach also encouraged mentors and head coaches to use their experience to improve the players' performance. 

"Individuals can win matches, but series and titles are won through teamwork," Kirsten said. 

He added that Pakistan has a wealth of talented cricketers who only need minor adjustments, skills, and fine-tuning.

Sources revealed that Kirsten is also preparing a list of potential players who would be tried in the future. Pakistan's white-ball cricket schedule will be busy from November 2024 to April 2025, during which the team will play at least 18 ODIs and nine T20Is.