 has named 22 white-ball players, including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, for a three-day training camp.){kind=link}
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named 22 white-ball players for a crucial three-day training camp in Lahore from June 3-5. This White ball camp aims to lay the foundation for a new white-ball era under head coach Mike Hesson. And yes, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are all part of the plan, despite the whispers suggesting otherwise.
Why This Camp Matters?
Let’s be honest, the past year or so in Pakistan cricket has been chaotic. Captaincy drama, inconsistent performances, T20 World Cup selections under scrutiny — it’s been a ride. So, this camp feels like a much-needed breather.
According to sources, players will be divided into three groups, reporting on June 3, 4, and 5. But the big three — Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen — are expected to be present throughout the entire camp.
That alone sends a strong message: they’re not out of the picture.
Mike Hesson Gets to Work
This will be Mike Hesson’s first real hands-on opportunity with the players since taking over the white-ball reins.
The 50-year-old New Zealander, known for his analytical mind and modern approach, plans to personally engage with each player, assess their fitness, analyse recent performances, and — perhaps most importantly — share his vision for Pakistan’s white-ball future.
It’s a smart move. No filters, no middlemen. Just coach-to-player clarity.
Who’s Been Called Up?
Along with the regulars, a few fresh and exciting names — mostly standout performers from PSL 10 — have been included.
Here’s the full list: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shahid Aziz, Abbas Afridi, Salman Mirza, Mir Hamza, Abdullah Shafique, Khawaja Nafay, Haider Ali, Ahmed Daniyal, Mehran Mumtaz, Khurram Shahzad, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Nawaz, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Ali Raza, and Tayyab Tahir.
Some of these names might not be household yet — but trust us, this camp could be their ticket to the national side if they impress.
The Babar-Rizwan Debate
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the place of Babar and Rizwan in the T20I setup. Critics have long targeted the duo’s strike rates and “old-fashioned” batting approach in the shortest format.
And that’s one of the key reasons they were recently dropped from the T20I team. But Hesson has already made his stance clear in earlier interviews:
“Babar and Rizwan are in the plans. The goal is to improve them according to modern cricket demands.”
So, rather than throwing them under the bus, the new coach wants to refine their roles, not remove them. It’s a refreshing take. With the right tweaks and tactical clarity, these two can still be absolute match-winners.
A Fresh Start After a Clean Sweep
It’s also worth noting that Pakistan recently pulled off something they hadn’t done in nearly three years — a home T20I series win. And not just any win — a 3-0 clean sweep over Bangladesh.
It was the perfect start to Hesson’s regime, and more importantly, the team played with aggressive intent — something fans had been crying out for.
This camp now allows Hesson and his staff to build on that momentum and assess where each player fits in going forward.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.