White-ball squad to depart for Japan on September 24; Salman Mirza rules out with thumb fracture
KARACHI:
Pakistan’s white-ball cricket squad began a four-day training camp on Monday here at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre National Bank Stadium ahead of the men’s cricket tournament at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The players worked on batting, bowling and fielding.
The camp will run through Thursday, with a practice Twenty20 match scheduled at the Oval Ground on Wednesday and a centre-wicket scenario game on Thursday. Local cricketers have also been called in to assist with the training sessions.
Five players including Usman Khan, Saim Ayub, Maaz Sadaqat, Hasan Nawaz and Sufiyan Muqeem will join soon as they have now completed their CPL stint in the West Indies.
Fast bowler Mohammad Salman Mirza has been ruled out after suffering a fracture to his left thumb. Mohammad Wasim Junior has been called up as his replacement in the 15-member squad.
Pakistan are scheduled to leave for Japan around midnight on September 24, with a 21-member travelling party.
The squad is led by Sahibzada Farhan, with Abdul Samad as vice-captain. Other members include Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Arafat Minhas, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Saad Masood, Saim Ayub, Sufiyan Muqeem and Usman Khan.
Head coach Mike Hesson leads a support staff that includes bowling coach Ashley Noffke, fielding coach Shane McDermott, physiotherapist Mohammad Tahir, trainer Imranullah and analyst Usman Hashmi.
