Pakistan team is training hard in Birmingham

From 1st of June later this year, the eight edition of the Champions Trophy is all set to get underway. The Pakistan has not tasted success so far in the eight-team elite tournament also termed the ‘mini World Cup’. This time though, they are preparing to go into the tournament with all cylinders blazing. They will begin their campaign against arch-rivals and defending champions India on 4th June at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

While Indian cricketers have not started their preparations yet as they are coming out of the Indian Premier League which finishes on Sunday, Pakistan team has started their rigorous regime. The Pakistani squad is currently at the venue for their first game, Birmingham. They went through an extensive training session on Saturday under the supervision of coach Mickey Arthur.

Indoor training

Outdoor training was not possible as it was raining in Birmingham. But nature could not stop the determined Pakistani cricketers, as they shifted their training to indoors. They underwent a 3-hour long tiring training session. “Players trained with full throttle, for around three hours. Team worked hard in the nets, batsmen worked to enhance their skills while bowlers worked with the coach on how to utilize English conditions with white ball, overall team morale is high ahead of the tournament,” said an official travelling with the team.

Coach Mickey Arthur made his intentions clear by saying that fielding and fitness are the regions which hold utmost importance to him. He also said that it was a great opportunity to rebuild the team after the departure of the two legends Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan.

“As much as Misbah-ul-Haq and Younus Khan meant to this green team, they were great leaders, for us now in moving forward there are batting positions available and we are hoping that some guys grab these positions and as I said it’s exciting to restructure and rebuilt,” said Arthur. He also said that the players are working really hard, as a result of which Pakistan clinched their first Test series victory on Caribbean soil.

Abbas added to the squad

Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas was called up for the training camp on Birmingham. The official said that it was done so that he can gain some much-needed white ball experience. He grabbed the limelight after his exceptional performance for Pakistan’s Test team in the recently concluded series against West Indies.