Selectors majorly content with players’ fitness

Review to stay while the camp is on, say chief selector.

KARACHI: The selection committee has expressed its satisfaction following an initial review of the players’ fitness during the training camp for the tour of New Zealand.

Chief selector Mohsin Khan said he was satisfied with players’ fitness which he believed has improved in the current camp.

“The players have shown an improvement and their overall fitness can be termed satisfactory,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune before adding that the committee will utilise the available time and will not give clean chit to players’ fitness in a hurry. “We have not finalised our decision yet but have opted to review and continue the tests till the camp goes on.”

The former Test cricketer said though the majority of players proved their fitness, there were question marks hanging over a few players who failed to show hundred per cent fitness.

“There are some players who are carrying niggles and although these are of minor nature, we will wait and see the players to recover from them. We will ensure that the niggles don’t turn into injuries.”

The chief selector, however, refrained from naming any player. “It would not be appropriate to name any player at this point in time because they can recover before the tour.”

He said the selectors want to send fully-fit players for the long tour of New Zealand where the team will play six One-Day Internationals (ODIs), two Tests and as many Twenty20s.

“It would be a long and tough tour. With the World Cup as our next assignment, we can’t afford to take any risk on their fitness.”

Mohsin said he was also in  constant touch with the team management including coach Waqar Younis and limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi to take feedback on players’ performance in the training camp.

Hardwork will yield results: Intikhab

Pakistan manager Intikhab Alam was confident that his team would yield positive results following extensive drills during the week-long training camp due to conclude tomorrow.  “The players have worked really hard in the camp and I am confident their hard work would pay off in New Zealand,” said Intikhab. He said that all aspects of the game were covered during the camp where main focus was put on fielding and fitness.

“The players have worked very hard to overcome their weaknesses. I hope the team shows improved fielding in New Zealand.”

The manager further said presence of former captain Javed Miandad in the camp was another positive for his side. “He has worked hard in the camp and the players must have learnt a lot from him. The presence of a player with such credentials would definitely change things for Pakistan batting.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2010.