The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will implement rigorous fitness tests before awarding central contracts for the upcoming 12 months, extending the evaluation to both currently contracted players and other international and domestic performers. These fitness tests will take place from September 6 to 8 in Lahore, overseen by white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, along with the team’s physiotherapist and trainer.
Following the tests, players will depart for Faisalabad to participate in the Champions Cup. According to a reliable source within the board, the results of these fitness tests will play a crucial role in determining which players receive contracts this year, with performance also being a key consideration.
According to the source, both foreign coaches, Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, have emphasized to the selectors and the PCB that fitness will be their top priority when selecting players.
The source also mentioned that Gillespie was dissatisfied with the fitness levels of certain players during recent Test matches against Bangladesh, as he believed they struggled to maintain their intensity and endurance throughout all sessions of the games.
He mentioned that Kirsten had also raised concerns about the fitness levels of some players during his meetings with the selectors and board officials. The upcoming fitness tests will be comprehensive, assessing various aspects of a player’s fitness, including gym training, stamina and endurance runs, Yo-Yo tests, and other evaluations, he added.
Currently, the PCB has awarded central contracts to approximately 27 players, but there are indications that this number may be reduced due to the national team’s performance over the past year across all formats.
Pakistan’s recent 2-0 defeat in a Test series against Bangladesh has sparked significant criticism of both the players and board officials.
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