Wisden

CricInfo News

CricInfo Home
News Home

NEWS FOCUS
Rsa in Pak
NZ in India
Zim in Aus

Domestic
Other Series

ARCHIVE
This month
This year
All years


Dawn Bhurban trip for Waqar and his boys
Sports Reporter - 20 July 2002

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to organize a three-day tour to Bhurban for the camp probables arguing that it would benefit the players and dismissing claims that it would bring smiles back on the aggrieved faces.

The 12 remaining probables from the originally announced 19, would proceed to the hill station Monday where they will train under the supervizion of newly-hired Australian physiotherapist Dennis Waight.

During the visit, human resources chief, Aamir Siddique, who has suddenly become an indispensable force, would also deliver lectures for mental toughness.

Pakistan manager Yawar Saeed dismissed impressions that the tour was being organized to appease and shoot-down players resentment that has surfaced recently.

"It is not a recreational tour but a tough one. And it has not been organized to make the players happy. As far as I see things, the players are happy and there is no ill-feeling amongst them," Yawar pleaded.

Of the 19 probables for next month's tournament in Tangiers, Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq were allowed to continue playing in the English County Championships, Shoaib Akhtar skipped the camp amidst contrasting claims while four players Wasim Akram, Shahid Afridi, Yousuf Youhana and Saeed Anwar were given the go-ahead to proceed to Houston to play in the double wicket tournament.

Back home, the remaining boys have expressed displeasure over the scenario and have questioned the wisdom of organizing the camp when most of the frontline players have been exempted. They have also asked if they would have been granted permission to earn some money during the same period had they been offered a contract either in England or Houston.

"There is no resentment amongst the players. They are colleague and friends and understand what is happening around. This time it was the turn of these seven players to earn money. Maybe next time, some other players will get the same benefit," Yawar explained.

Asked if Lahore had become smaller place for such a venture, he said: "There are two advantages of taking the camp probables to Bhurban. Firstly, Waight will begin his work by taking down relevant notes on players' history, previous injuries, weight, strength of muscles etc which will help him understand the physical toughness of every individual.

"And secondly, Bhurban is a hill station and on a relevantly good height. It would help the players to train in different and difficult conditions as Morocco and South Africa are also on a high altitude which requires extra strength, stamina and physical toughness to excel. And lastly, it is very hot in here so there will be a change for the boys."

The event in Tangier begins Aug 12 while Pakistan embark on the African safari on Dec 1 where it would play four Tests and 10 one-day internationals in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The World Cup begins Feb 8.

Yawar said there would be tough work for the boys in Bhurban "as the boys would spent time in football ground, gymnasium and training centre."

Yawar said irrespective of the current situation, he remains a big advocator of central contracts "that keeps the players tied up and allows the management to decide which players to play and whom to rest."

Yawar said most of the teams had players on its contracts and it was time Pakistan also followed in the footsteps of those countries.

"These are streamlining procedures and should be introduced. I made the recommendations 12 months ago and will again plead a case with the new director once he settles down. But the decision, of course, will be taken by the top hierarchy."

© Dawn


Teams Pakistan.
Players/Umpires Waqar Younis.

Source: Dawn
Editorial comments can be sent to Dawn at webmaster@dawn.com