LAHORE: Pakistan limited-overs opener Fakhar Zaman on Friday said that the persistent heat was causing problems for pacers at the ongoing conditioning camp for players here at the at the National Cricket Academy/LCCA ground but added that the players were enjoying themselves.

“We, as batsmen, are used to playing in the scorching heat but it’s a problem for the quicks,” Fakhar told reporters. “But the camp is going well and the players are enjoying themselves.”

Pakistan have a busy international season ahead of them. They play a home white-ball series against the West Indies, are away in Sri Lanka and the Netherlands for a Test series and a while-ball series before a home series against England ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia. They will end the year, which started with Australia’s historic tour of the country, with a home series against New Zealand.

“We really enjoyed the home series against Australia and it was very beneficial for the game here,” Fakhar added. “Now, our focus shifts to the upcoming ODI series against West Indies [which begins next month in Rawalpindi].”

Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja met the players and advised them to play fearless cricket during the upcoming season.

Ramiz informed that Australian curators had been roped in to improve the standard of pitches in the country, while also disclosing that the PCB had decided to increase the pay for centrally-contracted players for the next year.

Published in Dawn,May 21st, 2022