PCB to pick best performing players of PSL 9 for training camp

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Friday said the players who gave the best performances during the Pakistan Super League season 9 would be incorporated into the fitness and training camp.

Ahead of the New Zealand tour, names of Pakistani cricket players were contemplated during a meeting of board’s officials presided by Naqvi at the PCB headquarters in Lahore. Chief Selector Wahab Riaz, PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer, the director international cricket and other authorities attended the meeting.

New Zealand team will visit Pakistan in April for a five-match T20I series, starting on April 18, ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup that begins in June.

The PCB chief directed to select players on the basis of merit and their performances. Naqvi said even his own recommendation should not be accepted in the selection of players for the camp.

“The players selected on merit and performance have the ability to produce good results,” he said in the meeting that reviewed selection of players for the training camp.

The chief selector submitted a report about the bowlers and batters who gave stellar performances during the recently concluded season of the league.

After Islamabad United won the PSL season by beating Multan Sultans on March 18, Muhammad Irfan Khan was named ‘Emerging Player of the Tournament’, Saim Ayub ‘All-Rounder of the Tournament’, Muhammad Irfan Khan ‘Fielder of the Tournament’, Azam Khan ‘Wicketkeeper of the Tournament’, Usama Mir ‘Bowler of the Tournament’, Usman Khan ‘Batter of the Tournament’ and Shadab Khan ‘Player of the Tournament’.

Shadab was also praised for his brilliance in captaincy, whereas Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam was hailed for his consistency throughout the league.