Pakistani cricketers are set to face a stringent round of fitness assessments in Lahore starting on September 7 following a disappointing Test series against Bangladesh.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made these tests a crucial part of the selection process, both for the Test squad and for those seeking inclusion in the central contracts, which are expected to be announced after the fitness results are reviewed.
The fitness benchmarks have reportedly been raised, causing unease among the players and the sources suggest that the passing threshold has been increased to 60%, surpassing the international standard of 50%.
This heightened standard, along with the challenging nature of the tests, has raised concerns in the squad. The assessments will include a variety of physical challenges, such as skinfold measurements, bench presses, squats, and jumps.
Additionally, Pakistani cricketers will be required to complete a 2-kilometre run within eight minutes, along with a set of six high-intensity sprints, with only 30-second intervals in between.
The PCB’s decision to tighten fitness requirements comes ahead of a planned reduction in the central contracts, which may see the number of players drop from 30 to 25.
Some established players may lose their spots, while newer talent could be introduced, marking a potential shake-up in the squad’s composition.
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