In preparation for a crucial World Cup match against South Africa, several Pakistan cricketers decided to skip the training session on Thursday. Out of the 15 members of the World Cup squad, only 8, along with three reserve squad members, participated in the training session at the Chidambaram Stadium. The remaining 7 players, including fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Hasan Ali, chose to rest to avoid fatigue in preparation for the high-stakes match.
Several key players, including wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan, all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, spinner Usama Mir, and opener Abdullah Shafiq, were among those who opted for a break. However, captain Babar Azam and Shadab Khan put in around two hours of practice during the session.
Imam ul Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, and Wasim Jnr, along with Zaman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Haris, were the players present at the optional training session.
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Their practice session seemed to focus on honing their ability to hit hard shots, particularly to take advantage of the powerplay overs. With this crucial game on the horizon, the team is leaving no stone unturned to secure a much-needed victory.
As the players geared up for this important match, Pakistan’s team director, Mickey Arthur, delivered a motivational pep talk to the squad. The talk aimed to inspire and motivate the players, reminding them of the significance of the upcoming game.
The team’s collective efforts, commitment, and focus on specific strategies during the practice session highlight their determination to turn their World Cup campaign around with a win against South Africa.
The Pakistani team is set to face South Africa on Friday in a must-win game after suffering three consecutive losses. With only 4 points from 5 games, Pakistan cannot afford to lose any more matches.