Pakistan's former greats and current stars are taking time off and recharging before a busy upcoming season.

While some are catching up with their childhood heroes, some are relishing the peace and quiet of the outdoors before the horns blare and the action begins.

Former captain and star all-rounder Shahid Afridi has taken a "three day visit" to Sri Lanka after a hectic tour of Pakistan in which he featured in exhibition matches to raise funds for people displaced by the operation in Waziristan.

He tweeted: "3days trip to Lanka" before setting off before finding zen in Kandy. "Life attracts with many things but this Nature is fantabulous.#peacecalmness#freedomroyality(kandy)," he tweets with a picture of the pristine surroundings.

Shoaib Malik, who is busy playing the Caribbean Premier League, doesn't seem to be having too bad of a time himself.

Former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, who turned 39 this year, is proving to everyone, perhaps even the Pakistan selectors, that he still has what it takes to compete at the top level. Mahmood, who has now settled in England, is currently playing in its domestic T20 championship, turning in decent performances with both bat and ball. His wife tweeted this picture of him, taking a breather from the pitch.

The Pakistan women's cricket team, led by the experienced Sana Mir, will play four one-day and as many Twenty20 internationals during their first-ever tour of Australia from August 15 to September 6.

The PCB hoped competition with the Australian team, world champions in both the 50-over and Twenty20 formats, will mature their players for the future assignments which includes the upcoming Asian Games.

The players, who are training in Abbottabad, took some time out to let their hair down.

Pace bowling great Wasim Akram is on the commentary team for England's series against India and has bumped into some notables.

He also met Imran Khan at Lords.

Dashing batsman Umar Akmal, who was recently handed a Test recall, is making the most of his break to get ready for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. He is currently training with coach Mansoor Rana.

Bilawal Bhatti and Sharjeel Khan, meanwhile, were just happy to show off their new shades.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Irfan and Azhar Ali are keeping an eye on developments around the world despite putting in the hard yards at practice.

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