December 27, 2006	Wednesday	Zilhaj 05, 1427

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LAHORE, Dec 26: As part of the strategy, Pakistan cricket players had a practice session on a green pitch of the Gaddafi Stadium, as the short training camp for the forthcoming tour of South Africa started on Tuesday.

The probables will also have sessions on the mats during the camp, concluding on Dec 30.

"The bouncy and green pitches are preferred for the training camp as such kind of strips are in South Africa and the strategy will help our batsmen and the bowlers to be mentally ready for the crucial tour of South Africa," captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said after the first day of camp.

On the green pitch, fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar also bowled some overs with impressive pace.

Shoaib is appearing in the training camp for the first time after missing out the ICC Champions Trophy2006 in India for having tested positive in a dope test along with another paceman Mohammad Asif.

Inzamam, who has been retained as skipper till the World Cup-2007, said that it was a good sign that all fast bowlers were available for the crucial tour after a long time. Besides Shoaib and Asif, third bowler Shabbir Ahmed is also available after passing out one-year ban on Dec 19, imposed by the ICC for his illegal bowling action.

Inzamam said his boys could prepare themselves well for the next series after closely watching the negative and positive points of South Africans in the ongoing home Test series against India.

"The Indian's victory in the first Test in the series is also an inspiring force for us and I also expect a similar kind of performance from my boys,” he said.

Inzamam said, Test discarded opener Imran Nazir was called in the camp on the basis of his performance in the Twenty-20 Cup.

Imran led Sialkot Stallions in the final of the Cup against Karachi.

Bazid and Khalil are likely to be included among reserved players.

Selectors are likely to announce the final squad for the tour on Thursday.