Mohsin Naqvi for PCB and PSL Captains Poster. Image Credits: AFP/AP
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a schedule of a brand-new cricketing event, set to coincide with the blockbuster PSL 2026 season in Pakistan. However, unlike the PSL, the primary objective of PCB’s upcoming event is to identify the next generation of Pakistan’s red-ball stars.
It is worth noting that a gruelling Test season awaits the Pakistan cricket team, which includes a three-match tour of England. The series, and the rest of the fixtures, will form a part of the ongoing 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC), where the Pakistan team is currently ranked fifth with a solitary win from two matches.
PCB announce red-ball event at National Cricket Academy
As confirmed by the PCB on Tuesday, April 7, the board is set to organize a 13-day red-ball training camp. The camp will be taking place at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). As per the schedule, the training camp will be held between April 8 and April 20.
Around 18 players will be taking part in the event, including six batters, three spinners, six fast bowlers and three wicketkeeper-batters. The schedule of the 13-day training camp includes two 90-overs practise matches, set to be played in Lahore.
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The purpose of the event is to grant players some valuable match exposure in a bid to help them acclimatise to the demands of the longer format of the game. The programme will also focus on the skill development and fitness ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming red-ball season. The players will be under constant supervision of the NCA coaches.
Noman Ali headlines players list for red-ball camp
The PCB has already unveiled the list of all 18 players set to take part in the red-ball training camp. Here is a look at all the players named by the Pakistan board:
Afaq Afridi, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Hasan Raza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Suleman, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Musa Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Naqeebullah, Niaz Khan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Saad Khan, Saifullah Bangash, Sajid Khan, Salman Khan and Waqar Ahmed.
Training camp to coincide with PSL 2026
Since the PCB’s red-ball training camp will run from April 8 and April 20, it will largely coincide with an important segment of the PSL 2026 season. As per the PSL schedule as unveiled by the board last month, as many as 15 matches will be played during the period at the National Stadium in Karachi.
Pakistan set to resume WTC campaign with England tour
If operated successfully, several players from the PCB training camp might find a place in Pakistan’s Test set-up in their upcoming gruelling red-ball season.
Currently ranked fifth on the WTC 2025-27 points table, the Pakistan cricket team is set to resume its WTC campaign with three back-to-back away Test series against Bangladesh, West Indies and England between May and September.
As per the schedule, the Shan Masood-led side is also lined up to host Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
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