Before awarding central contracts for the next 12 months, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will conduct rigorous fitness tests bringing into the fray currently contracted players as well as other international and domestic performers. The fitness test will take place from September 6 to 8 in Lahore with white ball head coach Gary Kirsten and the physiotherapist and trainer of the team also supervising the process. After which, they will leave for Champions Cup that will be held in Faisalabad.
“Basically these are the tests that will determine which players take contracts this year but performances will also matter a lot,” a reliable source in PCB said.
The source added that “Both foreign coaches (Kirsten and Jason Gillespie) have made it clear to the selectors and PCB that they will primarily consider fitness when selecting players”.
“Gillispie was not satisfied with some players’ fitness during recent test matches against Bangladesh because he thought they could not maintain their intensity or endurance throughout all sessions of tests,” the source noted.
Additionally, Kirsten shared similar concerns about certain players’ fitness levels when he spoke with selectors and board officials.
He continued by saying, “The fitness tests will include everything in checking the player’s fitness such as gym training, stamina and endurance runs while other tests like yo yo will also be conducted.”
Currently, about 27 players are on central contracts with PCB but it appears that this time the figure may witness a cut in view of the national team’s performance in all formats over the past year.
The recent Test series against Bangladesh ended in a 2-0 defeat for Pakistan attracting much criticism on both players and board officials.
