Misbah-ul-Haq to lead national camp ahead of new cricketing season

Pakistan is scheduled to have a 17-day conditioning camp from the 19th of August until the first week of next month. The first two days will be devoted to fitness testing followed by related training at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.Misbah-ul-Haq has been named the ‘camp commandant’ and will be responsible for setting up drills and guiding the A-list players through the camp along with the Academy’s coaching staff. 

14 players holding central contracts with the cricketing body have been invited to attend the camp along with six uncontracted players from the domestic circuit. The traditional Quaid-e-Azam trophy will begin soon after with the first match on September 12, followed by a series with Sri Lanka and a tour to Australia later in the year.

"Misbah ul Haq, who has been Pakistan's most successful captain, understands the arduous demands of the format in this day and age. With the advent of the World Test Championship, the PCB wants Pakistan to turn up with their best red ball game when they face Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series at home," Zakir Khan, PCB Director of International Cricket, was reported saying by Cricbuzz.

Five players participating in the English county have been given the permission to fulfill their commitments with their teams and not attend the camp, but they have been asked to return in time for the Quaid-e-Azam trophy. However, Azhar Alia has finished his county season and will be a part of the camp. 

"Ahead of the Sri Lanka series, these players will be a part of the initial rounds of what will be a highly competitive Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. So, this camp will further benefit them in gearing up for an exciting cricket season," he added. 

In 2016, Misbah-ul-Haq as the captain of the team had led his team to participate in a boot camp in Abbottabad which resembled ones used by the Army for training. It was arranged to help the team prepare for a tour of England and had reaped rewards for them. He will be looking to help the players become better athletes after they came under heavy flak for their lethargic display in the recently concluded World Cup.