Just holding camps for England tour is not the answer: Javed Miandad lashes out at PCB

Miandad said touring England was always a difficult task even when Pakistan had strong outfits in the past.

READ: Boot camp will be of no help, feels Abdul Qadir

“Playing in England poses a totally different challenge and definitely our team faces a stiff challenge ahead of them in Tests and ODIs. But what is regrettable is the preparations are not right. Just holding camps is not the answer.”

He also questioned the absence of head coach Mickey Arthur from the boot camp and then the skills camp.

“If what we are reading is true that the new coach has sent his plans to the team for implementation in the camps in his absence, then I am sorry I don’t think the Board is taking the coming tour seriously,” said the former captain.

READ: Don’t expect Shehzad, Akmal to be like AB and Kohli, says Afridi

Miandad described the exclusion of young batsmen Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal on disciplinary grounds from the tour as a sham.

“The point is what will Pakistan cricket achieve by just discarding these players. If they have any problems it is the job of the Board and team management to handle these things. They are good players and Pakistan cricket can use their skills,” Miandad said.

He also said the Board and selectors should be clear about the reasons for dropping the two players.

“Just saying on disciplinary grounds is not acceptable tell us what they have done,” he added.

Miandad, who appeared in 124 Tests, also questioned chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq for roping in other members, who have played little international cricket, in his committee.

READ: Poor state of Pakistan cricket pains Zaheer Abbas

“I don’t understand the logic behind him picking people whose experience of international cricket is limited. Why did he not pick like-minded and experienced players of his time to work with him. Is this choice of his selectors just to make it a one man selection committee?” he asked.

Inzamam picked Wajahatullah Wasti and Tauseef Ahmed with a combined experience of 34 Tests and 70 ODIs, and seam-bowling all-rounder Wasim Haider, who played three ODIs in 1992 World Cup.

PCB imports Duke balls to to prepare for England

After laying seaming pitches, the Pakistan Cricket Board has now imported Duke cricket balls to prepare the national team for the upcoming tour of England.

An official in the PCB told PTI that on the recommendation of chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq seaming pitches have been prepared for the skills camp underway in Lahore and now on the recommendation of new head coach Mickey Arthur the board had imported Duke balls.