‘I want to serve the Pakistan cricket team as trainer’

PQA official Khalid eyes coaching role in national side.

LAHORE:

Port Qasim Authority’s (PQA) trainer Sheraz Khalid has made a notable start this season, impressing everyone with his skills and training methods.

The 31-year-old played first-class cricket for Rawalpindi and PTCL before switching to professional training while residing in Scotland, where he went on to represent the Scotland B team as well.

Khalid claims to have the best training gear in Pakistan while his training methods have also been impressive, attracting the attention of players and officials alike. He revealed that his main aim is to work with the national team.

“I want to serve the Pakistan team as its trainer because I wasn’t able to do so as a player,” Khalid told The Express Tribune at the Gaddafi Stadium.

“There isn’t a bigger dream for any player or athlete to represent their country. Being an athlete in my playing days motivated me to try my luck in this profession and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time so far despite facing disappointments.”

He has completed the ECB level-I training programme from England and has also done level-I with the Pakistan Cricket Board. In addition, Khalid has completed strengthening and conditioning courses from Australia too.

Khalid served Rawalpindi as a trainer for 18 months, yet failed to get an appointment with the PCB.  However, his luck changed when he was referred to PQA where he was hired as a trainer.

“I’ve bought expensive training gear on my own and people used to call me crazy as they felt it was a waste of money, but I’m really thankful to Rawalpindi’s coach Sabih Azhar and PQA’s Rashid Latif who have given me this opportunity,” he concluded.

ZTBL close in on victory against SNGPL

Defending champions SNGPL were on the verge of defeat as they needed 331 runs with eight wickets in hand against ZTBL at the end of day three in the President’s Trophy match.

SNGPL closed the day at 35 for two while ZTBL declared their second innings at 236 for two earlier in the day. Babar Azam (80) and Haris Sohail (50) scored half-centuries.

Elsewhere, PTV are on the brink of toppling star-studded PQA as they ended day three on 16 for no loss, needing another 162 runs to record a win after bowling out their opponents for a paltry 220 in their second innings.

Shahzaib Hasan made 105 of 110 balls with four sixes and seven boundaries. Waqar Ahmed and Yasim Murtaza claimed three wickets apiece.

In another match, Ali Khan scored an unbeaten 170 as KRL took a 17-run first-inning lead in a high-scoring match against SBP at their home ground. KRL had made 437 for seven in reply to SBP’s 420, with Ali hitting four sixes and 18 boundaries.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2013.

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