Batting was the focus of the Pakistan team on day two of the conditioning camp at Abbottabad, as they looked to fine-tune their skills ahead of the Champions Trophy.

by Farid Khan (4 May 2013)

Batting was the focus of the Pakistan team on day two of the conditioning camp at Abbottabad, as they looked to fine-tune their skills ahead of the Champions Trophy. The players warmed-up with some volleyball and Frisbee before going through some rigorous batting sessions. It wasn't just the specialist batsmen who were expected to participate, the bowlers also padded-up in the relatively cool conditions of Abbottabad. Former Pakistan captains Wasim Akram and Javed Miandad provided guidance to the players on any issues that came to light, with Dav Whatmore and Mohammad Akram also in attendance.

Bowlers Mohammad Irfan, Ehsan Adil and Saeed Ajmal practiced under the close observation of coach Shahid Aslam, and Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Amin and Nasir Jamshed held a separate session with Javed Miandad.

Fielding was also on the timetable, with specialist coach Julien Fountain brushing up the skills of the players ensuring every player participated in, and passed, the planned drills. Fielding coach for the Pakistan team can be a tough prospect, but he didn't mind sharing a light-hearted moment with the players, keeping them relaxed and focused.

Asad Shafiq, his importance to the Pakistan side enhanced in the absence of the experienced Younis Khan, had an extended two-hour batting session. Asad himself acknowledged the extra responsibility that has fallen upon his shoulders when speaking to the press at the end of the day "Yes, I definitely have more responsibility on me now. The target for me, as well as for the team, is to win this tournament and bring the cup to Pakistan. My individual target is to perform in such a way that the teams benefits from it. I have to try to bat longer. Wherever the management and captain want me to bat, I am comfortable with that. ”

Asad then outlined his thoughts on the training session today “At present, the plans are focusing on our physical fitness. Today we have also had a net session where we are looking to gain some momentum and carry it into the tournament. The wicket's not a particularly green one, but it is sporting. Wasim Akram is a legend of Pakistan and whatever tips he gives us are very beneficial. He has experience of playing in England, so when he shares that with us we definitely benefit.”

The players are also enjoying the cooler conditions of Abbottabad says Asad “It is quite nice because it was hot in Karachi and Lahore. Over here the weather isn’t exactly like England but it is more similar to the conditions there. The wicket has also been prepared in such a way which is quite beneficial. The wickets in South Africa and England are very similar.”

Fast bowling legend Wasim Akram, who has been in attendance at the pre-conditioning camp, was also full of praise for the scenery in the northern Pakistani city where the camp is being held “It's the first time I've been to Abbottabad. It's a very beautiful place. I've been impressed with the way the Pakistani Army have looked after the players. I'm glad I came here and I'm please to see that Pakistan holds such beauty. I am planning to visit the north of Pakistan in the future. I love New Zealand for it's beauty, but this is equally good.”

Wasim also believed the Abbottabad wickets are different to those the side will face in England “English wickets are different. For six to eight months of the year it rains. When it rains for eight months, there is a lot of grass but they are soft. They are very good wickets – it's rare to see wickets like that in Pakistan. I haven't seen many like that. There is grass, the ball comes off well and there is bounce. Those wickets are slower than Pakistan. However the atmosphere in Abbottabad in comparison to Karachi or Lahore, where it was very hot, the weather in Abbottabad is excellent and they will find similar weather in England, Scotland and Ireland.”

The location of the camp has also provided the players with a chance to acclimatise, or at the very least experience conditions closer to England than those in Karachi or Lahore. With a plethora of coaches present at the training camp, there is certainly a large pool of experience from which the players can extract advice as well as an anticipatory buzz around the camp as a big tournament draws closer.

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