Former double World Cup winning coach Intikhab Alam speaking to PakPassion.net from Lahore stated that the ongoing training camp was serving it's purpose and had proved to be extremely valuable preparation for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand.

 by Saj Sadiq

13 December 2010

Former double World Cup winning coach Intikhab Alam speaking to PakPassion.net from Lahore stated that the ongoing training camp was serving it's purpose and had proved to be extremely valuable preparation for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand.

"The training camp was needed after the tour of UAE and the idea was to get all the players together in Lahore for some important preparation before flying to New Zealand. The emphasis has been on physical fitness and the fielding, and we have achieved that. The camp has been a short one, but a very productive one."

The fielding and fitness levels of the Pakistan squad during the tour of England earlier this year were criticised heavily after a whole host of catches were dropped. In addition the ground fielding in England came under fire, despite the presence of fielding coach Ijaz Ahmed, throughout the tour.

Alam stated that he was happy with the fielding drills that he had witnessed at the Gadaffi Stadium.

"The people that have been given the task of looking after the fielding drills have done a very good job. Every aspect of the fielding has been covered by the coaches. All the players have been very keen throughout the practice sessions and have taken the fielding drills very seriously. I'm confident that the fielding will be good in New Zealand and I would say that the poor fielding effort in England was largely down to the cold weather."

The Pakistan players, coaching staff, Board and management will be hoping for a controversy free tour after the spot fixing allegations in England and then the walk out of Zulqarnain Haider in the UAE after alleged threats from a bookmaker.

However Alam added that "there would be no changes to the security arrangements for the players or indeed added security for the players in New Zealand."