The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has implemented stringent measures toensure the fitness of its players following the team’s recent whitewash byBangladesh in a Test series.
According to these sources, the PCB plans to award central contracts toplayers based on the outcomes of fitness tests, which are expected tocommence on September 7. In an effort to enhance fitness standards, thecricket board has raised the passing criteria from the internationalbenchmark of 50% to 60%.
As part of the new fitness regime, players will need to complete a2-kilometer trial run within eight minutes and a series of three runs, eachwithin 10 seconds. The fitness test will also include various physicalchallenges, such as bench presses, skinfold measurements, bench pulls,squats, and jumps.
Sources further indicate that these new fitness measures may lead to areduction in the number of centrally contracted players, potentiallydecreasing the count from 30 last year to 25 this year.
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It’s noteworthy that Pakistan suffered a historic whitewash at home, withBangladesh winning the two-match Test series 2-0, thoroughly outplaying thehome team in all aspects of the game during the matches held in Rawalpindi.