Pakistan’s National Cricket Academy (NCA) will host parallel red- and white-ball camps this summer, with Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mike Hesson taking charge of their respective formats. A 22-strong red-ball group reports on Monday, 8 June and trains until 10 July; a 27-player white-ball squad arrives a week later, staying on until 18 September.
Those dates line up with Pakistan’s next assignments. The Test side heads to the Caribbean in mid-July for two matches against West Indies. Limited-overs players, meanwhile, look towards the Asian Games T20s in Japan (September–October) and an October-November home ODI tri-series featuring Sri Lanka and England.
Key names are spread across both groups. Babar Azam features in the red-ball camp, while ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi is listed with the white-ball players yet is expected to work on his longer-format bowling during the first month. Anyone already contracted to English counties this summer has been left out for now but, selectors say, could be drafted in later.
Hesson called the arrangement “sensible preparation in a busy calendar”, adding: “We have time to focus on individual skills before pushing players into match scenarios.” Sarfaraz was equally direct: “Red-ball success starts with long, honest spells in the nets and clear plans. That’s what this camp is for.”
What the players will actually do
Alongside daily fitness blocks, the NCA has scheduled scenario-based matches and one-to-one technical sessions. The PCB’s statement spelled it out: “Both camps have been devised to prepare players for upcoming international and domestic events. During the camps, the players will work with National and NCA coaches alongside PCB Medical staff on their skills and fitness. The players will also have one-on-one sessions with coaches to better understand the skills and fitness requirements at the international level.”
Selectors intend to swap players between camps where roles overlap. That flexibility matters because Pakistan’s recent results have been mixed. The 2-1 home ODI win over an under-strength Australia came on turning tracks that, to be blunt, flattered the hosts. Before that, the side lost an ODI series in Bangladesh and exited the T20 World Cup in the Super Eights – the fourth ICC white-ball event in a row without a semi-final appearance.
Test cricket paints a starker picture. Pakistan have not won away from home since 2023 and were swept 2-0 in New Zealand last winter. Senior quick Hasan Ali admitted the mood is “frustrated but determined”, telling reporters last month that “we know the standards we set a few years ago; we have to reach them again”.
Players to watch
• Babar Azam – returns to pure red-ball focus after a demanding white-ball stretch.
• Mohammad Huraira – the 24-year-old opener gets another chance to impress Sarfaraz’s staff.
• Fakhar Zaman – retained in the white-ball camp despite patchy form; power-hitting sessions are planned.
• Shahnawaz Dahani – fit again and pencilled in for both red- and white-ball workloads.
Co-ordination with county cricket
Five centrally-contracted players – including Abdullah Shafique and Naseem Shah – are turning out in the County Championship. Chief selector Wahab Riaz said the panel would “monitor performances remotely and pull lads back only if selection requires it”. The NCA has kept a handful of bowling-spot slots open in each camp should those call-ups happen.
Why long camps, and why now?
Pakistan has tried short, tour-specific preparation in recent seasons with limited success. The coaching group believe a longer block offers better conditioning and, importantly, an environment to rebuild confidence. Hesson pointed to New Zealand’s 2014 revamp as an example: “We had lads training side by side, learning day in, day out. It changed habits. That’s the idea here.”
Sarfaraz, who took over red-ball duties last October, stressed balance. “It can’t all be nets and fitness drills. We’ll mix in competitive cricket, even if it means scratch matches on tired pitches at the Qaddafi Stadium.”
Perspective, not panic
Results do matter, but insiders are wary of sounding alarmist. A senior PCB official – not authorised to speak on record – argued the talent pool remains healthy: “Our U-19 pipeline is strong. What’s missing is sustained, high-quality preparation.” These camps aim to plug that gap without wholesale structural change mid-season.
Looking ahead
The red-ball camp breaks on 10 July, with a short pre-tour gathering scheduled before the flight to the Caribbean on 15 July. The white-ball group continues until 18 September, after which selectors will trim it to a touring squad for Japan. Expect further movement once the county season winds down and injured players prove fitness.
For now, Pakistan’s focus is firmly on Lahore. Two coaches, 49 players, one lengthy window to reset. Whether the effort translates into results abroad – especially in Tests – will become clear soon enough.
