KARACHI, Pakistan, (Reuters) – The Pakistan Cricket  Board (PCB) was recruited a psychologist to help strengthen the  team’s mental resolve at next month’s Twenty20 World Cup in  England.

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam told Reuters that Dr Maqbool  Babri would be working with the players at a conditioning camp  in the hill resort of Bhurban from Thursday.

“He will hold one-to-one sessions with the players and also  conduct group therapy,” Alam said yesterday.

“The World Cup is an important event for us. People have  lot of expectations from us and the team must do well.”

The former test captain said that during the recent one-day  series against Australia in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, he noticed  players were often guilty of making poor shot selections when  they came under pressure.

“I think sometimes it is the fear of failing that makes a  sportsman crack under pressure. The idea is to improve the  self-belief in our players so they can perform to their optimum  abilities,” he said.

The week-long camp is being held at a higher altitude to  also improve the squad’s endurance and stamina levels.

Alam said Pakistan had been short of matches against top  opponents since last year and the World Cup would be a big  test.

“The players need to be ready to cope with the pressure and  expectations,” he added, noting that a majority of leading  sportsmen employed sports psychologists on a permanent basis.

Pakistan are in Group B of the 12-team tournament and open  their campaign against hosts England on June 7. The Netherlands  are the other team in the group.