The PCB's much-anticipated "connection camp" concluded on Monday with officials outlining a plan to revive Pakistan cricket from its current struggles. Team management, including head coaches Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten, held open and candid discussions with national captains Shan Masood and Babar Azam, alongside other players, focusing on issues such as the lack of unity within the team.
The camp was organised as Pakistan faced one of its darkest periods, with poor administrative decisions leading to a string of on-field failures. Over the past year, Pakistan has suffered losses to Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup, to the USA in the T20 World Cup, and a 2-0 defeat to Bangladesh in a home Test series. There have been persistent rumours of internal tensions, especially following the swift appointment and removal of Shaheen Shah Afridi as the T20I captain, and the return of Babar Azam to that role. Kirsten was reportedly surprised by the depth of division when he joined the team as the white-ball coach.
Salman Naseer, PCB’s COO, confirmed that team unity was a key topic in the camp, not just among players but also between the board and the squad. Naseer stated that the focus was on openly addressing issues and seeking commitments to improve performance and teamwork. He did not reveal specific details but emphasised the importance of creating a "safe space" for candid discussions.
Tensions between players and the board have also been escalating, particularly after several key players, including Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Naseem Shah, were denied NOCs to participate in foreign leagues during the summer, with workload management cited as the main reason.
Gillespie expressed optimism, highlighting the pride Pakistan players feel in representing their country and their desire to inspire the nation. He noted that the players are committed to improving and that the discussions will continue as the team looks for ways to become more effective.
Kirsten, who has spent the last 12 days observing the Champions Cup, praised the depth of talent in Pakistan, a sentiment that contrasted with recent remarks made by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Kirsten remarked that he had been impressed by the quality of competition and the potential of young players, offering hope for the future.
The camp did not address the immediate challenges, such as the recent loss to Bangladesh or the upcoming series against England, but the emphasis was on long-term improvement. Gillespie reaffirmed that the journey to revive Pakistan cricket is ongoing, and the team, management, and coaches are all determined to work together to achieve success.