Pakistan men’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has expressed his delight over returning to Pakistan and working with both established and emerging players during the ongoing white-ball training camp at the National Cricket Academy(NCA).
Speaking in a video shared on his official Instagram account, Pakistan Head Coach Mike Hesson said the camp is an important opportunity to assess players, build team chemistry and reconnect with Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure, including performances from the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
“It feels good to be back in Pakistan. We are playing a warm-up match in the white-ball camp, and it is a great opportunity to work with both new and experienced players,” Hesson said.
“I have not spent much time with some of the new faces, so this camp is valuable for getting to know everyone. I also enjoyed watching the PSL, where several talented new players have emerged,” he added.
Hesson also spoke about the difficult weather conditions, saying the players are adapting well despite the extreme heat.
“The conditions are very hot here, with temperatures around 43 degrees, but the players are training well and adapting strongly. We have also set up short boundaries on one side, which will present an interesting challenge for the bowlers,” he stated.
On a personal note, the 51-year-old said it was great to be back in Pakistan after dealing with recent health issues. He also stressed the importance of building strong combinations ahead of the upcoming international fixtures.
“Personally, it is great to be back in Pakistan after some health issues before my return. Overall, we are preparing well for the upcoming series against Australia and looking to build strong combinations,” he concluded.
The camp has been organized to prepare Pakistan’s squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia, scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from May 30 to June 4.
All three ODIs will begin at 4:30 p.m. local time, with the toss scheduled for 4 p.m.
The PCB said the NCA coaching staff will work alongside Pakistan men’s white-ball team management to train and monitor the players during the camp.
The upcoming ODI series will be Australia’s first tour of Pakistan in the 50-over format since March and April 2022, when Pakistan won the series 2-1.
Earlier this year, Australia toured Pakistan for a three-match T20I series in January and February, where Pakistan completed a 3-0 clean sweep at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.