PCB launches crackdown against Pakistan team players
Shares
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has implemented stringent measures to ensure the fitness of its players following the team's recent whitewash by Bangladesh in a Test series.
According to these sources, the PCB plans to award central contracts to players based on the outcomes of fitness tests, which are expected to commence on September 7. In an effort to enhance fitness standards, the cricket board has raised the passing criteria from the international benchmark of 50% to 60%.
As part of the new fitness regime, players will need to complete a 2-kilometer trial run within eight minutes and a series of three runs, each within 10 seconds. The fitness test will also include various physical challenges, such as bench presses, skinfold measurements, bench pulls, squats, and jumps.
Sources further indicate that these new fitness measures may lead to a reduction in the number of centrally contracted players, potentially decreasing the count from 30 last year to 25 this year.
It's noteworthy that Pakistan suffered a historic whitewash at home, with Bangladesh winning the two-match Test series 2-0, thoroughly outplaying the home team in all aspects of the game during the matches held in Rawalpindi.
