Pakistan Set to Reshuffle White-Ball Squad as Camp Begins in Lahore

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has wasted no time in launching the white-ball training camp for the South Africa series, calling several key players to Lahore for a specialised camp ahead of the upcoming limited-overs fixtures.

Despite the Test series having only just begun, the team is already shifting focus to the white-ball format in what is seen as crucial preparation against a world-class opponent.

According to Sohail Imran, head coach Mike Hesson was the one to summon a group of white-ball specialists to the National High-Performance Centre (NHPC) in Lahore to fine-tune their skills and fitness ahead of the T20I and ODI series against South Africa, which begins on October 28. The camp is set to include players such as Sahibzada Farhan, Hasan Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, among others. All of these players have been exempted from participating in the second round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy to prioritise national team preparation.

Sources reveal that Hesson is particularly keen on sharpening Pakistan’s white-ball strategy, with a focus on power-hitting, death bowling, and fielding drills, areas that have been under scrutiny since he took charge.

The white-ball camp for the South Africa series is also expected to offer clues about the players in contention for Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad. While Hesson has prioritised continuity in the squad since his appointment, reports suggest that Khushdil Shah and Hussain Talat are likely to be left out, with Irfan Khan Niazi earning a place in the limited-overs setup.

The white-ball leg of the South Africa tour will feature three T20Is and three ODIs, beginning on October 28 and running through November 8.

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