As the fast bowlers assessment camp under the supervision of coaches Dav Whatmore and Julien Fountain begins today, PakPassion can confirm that 2 fifty over matches have been arranged to thoroughly test out the quick bowlers called up to the camp.

 by Saj Sadiq

(6th May 2012)

As the fast bowlers assessment camp under the supervision of coaches Dav Whatmore and Julien Fountain begins today, PakPassion can confirm that 2 fifty over matches have been arranged to thoroughly test out the quick bowlers called up to the camp.

The 12 fast bowlers of varying levels of experience that were called up recently for the assessment camp all reported for duty last night at the National Cricket Academy and have undergone fitness tests earlier today.

The assessment camp for the fast bowlers has been organised predominantly to assess the strength of Pakistan's fast bowling resources and to add to the competition for places in the fast bowling department. Concerns have been raised recently about the standard and performance of the Pakistani fast bowlers in recent times and the camp is a good way to assess the standard of fast bowling in Pakistan and for the coaching staff to earmark talent for the short term and long term.

The quick bowlers called up for the camp are an interesting mix of up and coming youngsters, some steady performers in domestic cricket and more experienced heads. Bilawal Bhatti, Tabish Khan, Sadaf Hussain, Rahat Ali and Imran Khan are amongst the lesser known of the fast bowlers that are attending the camp, while Rao Ifthikar and Mohammad Sami are amongst those who have represented Pakistan in the past but have been out of favour in recent times.

Mohammad Talha, Junaid Khan who is returning from injury, Sohail Khan, Anwar Ali and Mohammad Khalil are the other fast bowlers present at the camp and eager to impress.

The assessment camp for the fast bowlers will last for 3 days and will include two 50 over matches in Lahore on Monday and Tuesday. The lineups for the two teams are not as yet finalised but are expected to include the vast majority of current international batsmen, as well as several up and coming batsmen who have performed well in domestic cricket recently.

The two matches are not seen as trial matches for the selection of the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, but could in theory have some influence over selection matters.