All-rounders’ camp to commence after Eid

PCB planning talent hunt to find long-sought replacements for Razzaq, Mahmood

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning to stage a camp for all-rounders at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore as the hunt to find long-term replacements for Abdur Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood continues.

Several players in recent times have tried to fill the gaping hole left by the stalwarts, including Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti and Aamir Yameen, but, according to the board, none have been able to satisfactorily replace the veteran all-rounders.

Chief selector Inzamamul Haq has repeatedly voiced his opinion that Pakistan is struggling to find suitable all-rounders and that his selection committee found it hard to categorise the likes of Anwar and Bhatti as all-rounders.



It has been learnt that initial discussions have already taken place between the selectors and NCA officials — which include Director Academies Mudassar Nazar and Senior General Manager Ali Zia — regarding the programme so that the camp could commence after Eid.

“It’s basically Nazar and Zia’s idea that there is a need to stage an all-rounders’ camp, similar to those of the spinners and fast-bowlers, since Pakistan is struggling to produce top-class players in that category,” one of the selectors told The Express Tribune. “We aren’t getting natural all-rounders and thus it is time that we start grooming those who have the right skill and potential.”



He further added, “We can’t just wait and hope for an all-rounder to materialise from somewhere; it’s about time that we start grooming them. We’ve asked local coaches to send us names of the players, even in the U19 or U17 categories, so that all possible candidates may be given a chance.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2016.

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