Introduction to the NCA Summer Camps in Lahore
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to launch a rigorous and highly anticipated training initiative at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore. Designed to address the national team’s recent dip in international performance, these camps represent a crucial preparatory phase for Pakistan’s upcoming cricket calendar. The red-ball specialists are scheduled to commence their camp on Monday, June 8, while the white-ball players will report to the academy on June 15. Once both cohorts are assembled, the camps will run concurrently, providing a high-intensity environment for the country’s top cricketing talent.
Comprehensive Schedule and Key Assignments
The training camps are structured to align directly with Pakistan’s immediate international commitments. The red-ball camp will conclude on July 10. Immediately following its conclusion, the players will transition into a pre-tour camp specifically tailored for the upcoming two-Test series against the West Indies. The national squad is expected to depart for the Caribbean on July 15, making this camp a vital stepping stone for adapting to red-ball conditions.
Meanwhile, the white-ball camp will feature a much longer duration, running through to September 18. This extended window is designed to prepare the limited-overs players for a series of high-profile assignments later in the year. These include the T20 Asian Games in Japan, scheduled for September and October, and a highly anticipated home ODI tri-series involving Sri Lanka and England, expected to take place in October and November. This tri-series will follow a two-match home Test series against Sri Lanka, ensuring a packed and demanding schedule for the players.
Coaching Leadership: Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mike Hesson at the Helm
In a strategic coaching setup, red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and white-ball head coach Mike Hesson will take direct charge of their respective groups. The camps will initially feature 49 players—comprising 22 red-ball specialists and 27 white-ball players. The NCA management retains the flexibility to add more players to the roster as the camps progress. Notably, players currently holding active contracts with English county teams for the summer have been excluded from the initial phase. However, they remain in the selectors’ plans and may be summoned toward the tail end of the camps if they are under active consideration for upcoming series selections.
A key feature of this joint training program is the fluid movement of players between the two camps. Sarfaraz and Hesson will actively swap players based on tactical needs and individual developmental goals. For instance, Pakistan’s ODI captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has been named in the 27-member white-ball squad but is also slated to spend significant time working on his long-format bowling skills over the next month. Shaheen, along with other players who featured in the recent three-match ODI series against Australia, is scheduled to join the camp on June 15.
Focus on Skill Enhancement and Scenario Training
The PCB has emphasized that the camps will go beyond basic net practice, incorporating advanced fitness regimes and tactical simulations. According to an official PCB media release: “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.”
To ensure players are match-ready, the coaching staff will organize practice matches and scenario-based training sessions. These exercises will simulate high-pressure situations, allowing the coaching staff to assess the players’ decision-making and execution under pressure.
Addressing Recent Performance Slumps
This intensive training program comes at a critical juncture for Pakistan cricket. The national side has struggled for consistency across formats, and the coaching staff and selectors are under pressure to reverse this trend. Although Pakistan secured a 2-1 ODI series victory against Australia recently, the triumph was heavily aided by home conditions, with matches played on extreme turners against a depleted visiting side. Prior to that, Pakistan suffered an ODI series defeat in Bangladesh and had an underwhelming T20 World Cup campaign, exiting in the Super Eights. This marked the fourth consecutive ICC white-ball tournament where Pakistan failed to qualify for the knockout stages, following disappointing group-stage exits in the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the 2025 home Champions Trophy.
The situation in Test cricket is equally concerning. Pakistan’s last away Test victory dates back to 2023, and they recently suffered a demoralizing 2-0 series whitewash at home against Bangladesh. Out of four matches played in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, Pakistan has managed only a single victory, leaving them languishing at eighth place on the nine-team table. This follows a last-place finish in the previous WTC cycle. With successive Test series scheduled against the West Indies (July), England (August-September), and Sri Lanka (September-October), these training camps in Lahore represent a critical opportunity for the team to rebuild and regain their competitive edge.
Roster: Pakistan’s 22-Member Red-Ball Camp
The following players have been selected for the red-ball training program:
- Aamir Jamal
- Abdullah Fazal
- Abrar Ahmed
- Ali Usman
- Amad Butt
- Azan Awais
- Babar Azam
- Imam ul Haq
- Khurram Shehzad
- Mohammad Abbas
- Mohammad Ali
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Muhammad Awais Zafar
- Muhammad Ghazi Ghori
- Obaid Shah
- Sajid Khan
- Salman Ali Agha
- Saqib Khan
- Saud Shakeel
- Shahnawaz Dahani
- Shahzad Gul
- Shan Masood
Roster: Pakistan’s 27-Member White-Ball Camp
The following players have been selected for the white-ball training program:
- Abdul Samad
- Abdul Subhan
- Ahmed Daniyal
- Akif Javed
- Ali Raza
- Arafat Minhas
- Faisal Akram
- Fakhar Zaman
- Farhan Yousaf
- Haider Ali
- Hasan Nawaz
- Khawaja Muhammad Nafay
- Maaz Sadaqat
- Mohammad Salman Mirza
- Naseem Shah
- Razaullah
- Rohail Nazir
- Saad Baig
- Saad Masood
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Saim Ayub
- Sameer Minhas
- Shadab Khan
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Shamyl Hussain
- Sufyan Moqim
- Usman Khan
