PCB Hosts ‘Connection Camp’ to Improve Team Unity and Communication
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hosted a ‘Connection Camp’ on Monday at a local hotel to foster stronger unity within the national cricket team and enhance communication between players and management.
The event, aimed at creating a clear and unified vision for the future of Pakistan cricket, was attended by key national team players, Test and white-ball head coaches Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten, along with top PCB officials.
Recent reports of discord within the team’s dressing room have surfaced following a series of disappointing performances, and PCB’s Chief Operating Officer, Salman Naseer, acknowledged that addressing these issues was one of the camp’s primary goals.
“It was an open and transparent session where we spoke honestly about unity, collaboration, and how we can improve communication,” Salman said during a press briefing after the event. “We candidly discussed how to work better together, as both players and management have room for improvement.”
Salman emphasized that the Connection Camp was an opportunity to engage with all stakeholders and find solutions to recent challenges. “We have a busy schedule, and it was the right moment to come together, brainstorm, and build a roadmap on how we can reignite our excellence and achieve success,” he added.
Pakistan’s performance on the field has seen a sharp decline over the past year, with losses to Afghanistan, Ireland, the United States, and Bangladesh in all formats of the game. Salman admitted that both the players and management have struggled, but stressed that the camp was a necessary step to get everyone back on track.
“The camp was designed to identify issues, set a vision, and outline the steps needed for success,” Salman noted. “It’s about reigniting our commitment and building a strategy for the future.”
Gary Kirsten, the head coach for Pakistan’s white-ball cricket, echoed these sentiments. “The goal of this session was to align everyone on the same page,” Kirsten said. “We talked about professionalism and the importance of bringing pride back into Pakistan cricket. I believe we made significant progress today.”
Kirsten also praised the ongoing Champions One-Day Cup, noting the high level of cricket on display and the depth of talent within Pakistan.
Test head coach Jason Gillespie emphasized the players’ desire to perform for their country. “The players are proud to represent Pakistan and are determined to succeed,” he said.
The Connection Camp saw the participation of key national players, including white-ball captain Babar Azam, Test captain Shan Masood, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi presided over the event, while the team’s assistant coach Azhar Mahmood and high-performance specialist David Reid were also in attendance.
The camp represents a crucial step for Pakistan cricket as the team looks to rebuild and improve both on and off the field.
