(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] In a significant development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf recently convened a meeting in Lahore on Tuesday with former Test cricketers, including Aaqib Javed, Mohammad Yousuf, and Inzamam-ul-Haq, who currently serves as the chief selector. The purpose of this meeting was to seek their invaluable advice and insights into the player development process.
In the press release issued by the PCB on Tuesday, it was stated that the Management Committee will also engage former players such as Umar Gul, Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, and Saqlain Mushtaq, who may consult in the development of the current Pakistani team.
“These players have served Pakistan at the highest stage and have a treasure of experience under their belts. We hope to utilise their expertise to help ensure our players are developed well in all aspects of the game. In this way, we hope we can produce players in all departments of the game that can serve Pakistan in the future,” said Zaka Ashraf as quoted in the statement.
After Pakistan’s lackluster performance in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, it is a precautionary measure to involve the former players in the current cricketing setup as they, with their experience, can help groom and nurture specialized talents, including batters, spinners, and fast-bowlers.
It was further mentioned in the released statement by the PCB that the National Cricket Academy of Pakistan is planning to host a specialized camp that will feature the cream of talent from the domestic circuit, helping prepare the players for the international stage.
“The primary goal of this camp is to nurture these players and make them ready for the international stage, in an attempt to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket,” the PCB release mentioned.