Pakistan team starts preparations for Champions Trophy, tri-nation series with scenario-based match

Pakistan cricket team on Tuesday began their preparation for the tri-nation series here at the Ghani Glass Cricket Ground.

A scenario-based practice game was held where all the bowlers and batters got ample chances to prepare for the high-voltage season which also carries the most important ICC Champions Trophy which will begin in Pakistan from February 19.

Babar Azam, who opened the innings with dashing Fakhar Zaman, batted twice. He managed a few fine strokes on the pitch which was not that difficult to bat on.

Fakhar was also seen in fine touch. The role of Fakhar and Babar in the tri-nation series and ICC Champions Trophy will be very important. It is also expected that both will also open the innings as Pakistan misses a regular opener.

The tri-nation series is more important for Fakhar to regain his sublime touch. He will be playing a major event after missing three back-to-back white-ball series against Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa due to various reasons. However, he looked good in the Champions Cup T20 in Rawalpindi and ILT20 in the UAE.

Kamran Ghulam also played some good strokes. Meanwhile, Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman also batted during the practice match.

Shaheen Afridi although bowled well but it was seen that he was not bowling with the kind of speed which will be required from him in the back-to-back events.

Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf were on fire and their body language was also good.

Faheem Ashraf, whose inclusion in the team has raised many eyebrows, was struggling with the ball. He bowled too short of length and leaked many runs in the perfect match-scenario training.

The only regular spinner in the side Abrar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah also rolled over their arms.

Rizwan was seen fielding while Usman Khan kept the wickets. Rizwan then also batted in the second innings and was careful trying to face the balls bowled at him.

Pakistan will also train at the same venue on Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday, the Green-shirts will undergo training at the Gaddafi Stadium which is going to be made ready following renovation.

New Zealand will land in Lahore in the wee hours tomorrow and will take rest before holding its first training session at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.

South Africa will arrive at Lahore in the wee hours of Friday.

In the tri-nation series Pakistan will open their journey with their match against New Zealand on February 8 at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore. On February 10 New Zealand will face South Africa at the same venue. On February 12 Pakistan will lock horns with South Africa at Karachi’s National Stadium while the final will be conducted also at Karachi on February 14.

Security arrangements

Tight security arrangements had been made for the safe conduction of the training session at the DHA’s venue.

Heavy contingent of security forces had been deployed and even journalists had to face tough time before entering the venue.

Around the Pearl Continental Hotel, heavy contingents of police were seen delivering their services. The security is expected to be further boosted before the arrival of foreign nations.

This correspondent also saw traffic police checking vehicles on many spots which is a move to implement the security plans which are very vital for ensuring a smooth flow of the cricket season.

This is the first time that Pakistan is going to host the ICC Champions Trophy. Pakistan last co-hosted the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka whose final was held at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore which has been massively renovated for the ICC event.