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'Exposing them to new methods': Mike Hesson reveals surprising PCB plan to send Pakistan stars to USA for power-hitting originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- PCB plans to send select cricketers to USA for skill development programme.
- Pakistan boosting fitness culture with new Director of Sports Medicine appointment.
- Young pacer Ali Raza among players being considered for the US trip.
Pakistan cricket explores US training stint for select players
The Pakistan Cricket Board is weighing up plans to send a small group of cricketers to the United States as part of a fresh initiative aimed at exposing them to new training methods and learning environments.
While the logistics of the trip are still being worked out and no final call has been made on exactly who will travel, white-ball coach Mike Hesson confirmed to Cricinfo that the idea is already in motion.
Hesson revealed that the US has strong expertise in power-hitting, making it an appealing destination for certain players, particularly those recovering from long-term injuries or those who could benefit from a different style of coaching altogether. He described the plan as involving roughly four months spent in one location, giving players the chance to pick up fresh ideas away from their usual surroundings.
"We've got some players who've had some longer-term injuries, and players we want to expose to different methods of power hitting and just a different learning environment, spending four months in one place to get some new fresh ideas."
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US trip is part of a broader fitness overhaul
This move comes as the PCB continues efforts to reshape what has often been criticised as a weak fitness and medical setup within Pakistan cricket. Earlier this year, UK-based physiotherapist Dr Javed Mughal was brought in as Director of Sports and Exercise Medicine.
However, Hesson made clear that the trip to America isn't solely about physical conditioning, even with Mughal's influence factored in.
"There's a bit of a collaboration. It's certainly not just strength and conditioning," Hesson said. "We've got Javed Mughal who's come in here and changing the way players are training and assessing them in a different way. So he needs time to plan it out as well."
Which Pakistan players are part of the USA trip?
Among the names reportedly being considered for the trip is 18-year-old fast bowler Ali Raza, who has emerged as one of Pakistan's most promising white-ball pace talents.
Raza played a key role in Pakistan's Under-19 Asia Cup triumph last year, claiming four wickets for 42 runs in the final against India, including the early dismissal of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
He also picked up a hat-trick in the PSL while playing for eventual champions Peshawar Zalmi earlier this year.
"We're trying to get Ali Raza fit and strong enough to deal with the demands of international cricket," Heesaon said.
"It's tough trying to be able to bowl multiple spells and sustain his pace. We know when he's at his top end pace, he's exciting. But when the pressure ramps up, the pressures on the body ramp up. So he's got to work on his body so he can deal with those."
Despite the challenges still to be ironed out, Hesson remained optimistic about the overall direction of the plan, saying it reflects a willingness to explore new options rather than simply keeping players confined to familiar settings back home.
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