PCB Calls Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen and Others for ‘Connection Camp’

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has organized a one-day “connection camp” for the nation’s top cricketers like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi, in Lahore, scheduled for September 23. This initiative comes on the heels of the final pool match of the Champions One-Day Cup, which concludes on September 22.

The camp will feature some prominent Pakistani cricketers, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Saim Ayub.

Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Gary Kirsten, will be present at the camp, alongside red-ball coach Jason Gillespie, who is set to arrive in Lahore on September 22. Their combined experience and strategic vision are anticipated to play a crucial role in preparing the players for upcoming challenges, particularly the 2025 Champions Trophy.

The primary goal of the connection camp is to foster dialogue about the future direction of Pakistan cricket and to ensure that players are well-prepared for the demanding tournaments ahead.

Earlier in the week, Kirsten conducted a significant meeting with the head coaches and mentors of the ongoing Champions One-Day Cup. He emphasized the importance of adopting a consistent brand of cricket across all levels, highlighting that while individual brilliance can win matches, teamwork is essential for securing series and titles.

Kirsten is also in the process of identifying potential players who could be integrated into the national team setup in the future. This proactive approach is aimed at ensuring a steady pipeline of talent ready to meet the demands of international cricket.

Pakistan’s white-ball cricket calendar is set to be intense from November 2024 to April 2025, with the team scheduled to play at least 18 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and nine Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).