Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a decisive ultimatum to its centrally contracted players, demanding significant improvements in their fitness levels.
This comes ahead of a critical round of physical assessments scheduled for Monday in Lahore, where players will be evaluated by the team’s fitness trainer and physiotherapist.
This move follows a previous round of fitness tests where several players failed to meet the established benchmarks ahead of the series against England.
PCB has reiterated its commitment to maintaining high fitness standards, emphasizing that there will be no leniency in this regard. “Players with central and domestic contracts have been explicitly informed that fitness is non-negotiable, and they must meet the standards set by the team’s fitness experts,” a PCB official stated.
The renewed focus on fitness is a response to a string of underwhelming performances by the national team. Former Team Director Muhammad Hafeez and ex-captain Misbah ul Haq disclosed that the previous coaching regime had relaxed fitness requirements to prioritize on-field performance.
PCB’s firm stance is backed by the team’s foreign head coaches, Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten, who have stressed to the PCB Chairman that fitness is a critical component of professional cricket.
“The foreign head coaches have made it clear that no player should receive any concessions regarding fitness levels.” the official added.
The upcoming tests will involve 8 to 10 players, some of whom missed earlier assessments or failed to meet the required standards.
The PCB is offering these players a second chance, focusing on the 2-kilometer run as a key measure of fitness. Additionally, the board plans to appoint a Sports Medicine consultant to address fitness challenges at both domestic and international levels.