Pakistan holds high-level ‘Connection Camp’ in a bid to revive cricket fortunes

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi led a strategic “Connection Camp” today, Monday, in Lahore that featured prominent cricketers and coaching staff, the PCB said, amid efforts to restore the country’s cricket to its past glory following a string of humiliating losses at home.
Pakistani cricket commentators and experts have raised alarm at the quality of cricket demonstrated by the national team after its first-round exits from the 50-over World Cup in India last year and T20 World Cup in the United States this year.
Since 2022, Pakistan has lost to Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Ireland, the United States and Bangladesh in all three formats of game. The green shirts lost to Bangladesh 0-2 in a home Test series this month, marking the first time they were whitewashed by the South Asian country.
A PCB statement said the Connection Camp was led by Naqvi and featured nine cricketers, including Babar Azam (Pakistan’s white-ball captain), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shan Masood (Pakistan’s red-ball captain). Joining them will be national team head coaches Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten, assistant coach Azhar Mahmood and high-performance specialist David Reid.
“The primary objective of the camp is to define a shared vision and mission, along with setting a roadmap to reignite the pride and excellence that has characterized Pakistan cricket since achieving Test status in 1952,” the PCB said.
It said the session focused on fostering “stronger collaboration between players and the PCB,” adding that the board reaffirmed its commitment to supporting players in meeting strategic goals.
“The ultimate aim is for players to take a leading role in inspiring the next generation of cricketers through outstanding performances,” the cricket board said.
Masood said the outcomes of the session included performance benchmarks, player development programs and strategies to enhance grassroots cricket in Pakistan.
“We’re fully committed to working with the PCB to reignite the pride and passion that Pakistan cricket is known for,” he said.
Kirsten said the players and support staff would do their best to ensure Pakistanis felt proud of their national team.
“We will focus on refining our approach in white-ball cricket to meet the standards of the highest levels of international competition,” he said.