Pakistan held an optional training session on Wednesday at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, ahead of their World Cup clash against England on Saturday.
15 players from the Pakistan squad and reserves participated in the session, while three players opted to miss the optional practice session.
The players who opted to rest were Abrar Ah-med, Imam-ul- Haq and Mohammad Nawaz.
Imam had felt discomfort in his neck and skipped the Green Shirts’ training session on Friday ahead of their clash against New Zealand in a must-win encounter on November 4 in Bengaluru.
Following a negative MRI report, fast bowler Haris Rauf rejoined the team for the bowling ses-sion. Rauf had exited the field during the Pakistan versus New Zealand match due to a suspected rib sprain. Subsequently, he underwent examinations at a local Kolkata hospital after experiencing discomfort in his ribs.
In a positive development, Shadab Khan, who had suffered a concussion during the South Africa match, bowled for the first time in the practice nets. All players actively participated in the fielding session.
Fans flocked to the Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata, India as the Pakistani side arrived for an optional practice session ahead of the team’s up-coming match against England on November 11 (Saturday).
Fans, however, were excited to see the Green Shirts in action during the practice and spoke about their favourites in the team.
A cricket-crazy fan said he wanted to see Pakistan captain Babar Azam score well. “He is a very good cricketer. He bats very well and his attitude towards batting is something I really like,” he said, speaking with Geo News.
When asked how he’s feeling looking at Babar practice so up close. “It feels really nice. I can’t express how happy I am,” the fan said, looking visibly excited.
Another fan, who is a young right-hand batter and off-spinner, said he came to the stadium to watch Rizwan practice.
Pakistan squad for World Cup:
Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan (VC), Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hassan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr.
