Selection committee to meet today

Qasim hints at minimum changes from Asia Cup side.

KARACHI: The tour may still be called off but the preparations on and off the field are taking place.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has started renovation work at the Gaddafi Stadium and is also working on the security arrangements for the two-match tour. The board’s selection committee, headed by Iqbal Qasim, will assemble in Lahore today to finalise the squad for the solitary One-Day International and Twenty20.

The selectors will also meet head coach Dav Whatmore to take his input.

“We’ll hopefully finalise the squad and send it to the PCB chairman for approval today,” Qasim told The Express Tribune before dismissing the notion of making wholesale changes in the side that won the Asia Cup.

“Some changes may be made after consensus but I don’t see a whole lot changing since we’re only playing two matches. However, these matches are important because of the pressure the players will be under to perform in front of a home crowd.”

Players continue practice

Meanwhile, Pakistan cricketers, including Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Yousuf, continued their training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.

“We’re having a useful training session with the coach,” said Adnan Akmal. “I hope for an improved show after undergoing the drills.”

Fast-bowler Aizaz Cheema said he was ready for the matches while ‘preparing very hard’.

“Our net sessions continue for hours and we are taking part in them with high motivation.”

According to a PCB official, a short training camp for the series will be held after the team announcement.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2012.