'No Compromise': PCB Takes Stand as Central Contract Stars at Risk of Being Ousted for not Meeting Fitness Standards

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have handed out a strict warning to several players who are centrally contracted to improve their fitness levels.

On Monday, Pakistan’s fitness trainer and physiotherapist is set to hold another round of physical tests at Lahore. Earlier this month, several players did not meet the benchmarks held in the previous test.

“The players who have central and domestic contracts have been told in clear terms that there will be no compromise on fitness and they have to meet the benchmarks set by the team’s fitness experts,” a board official said, as quoted by PTI.

Pakistan’s Head Coaches, Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten had told the PCB Chairman that fitness is one area which is a non-negotiable for a professional player.

The official said, “The two foreign head coaches, Jason Gillispie and Gary Kirsten had told the PCB Chairman that no player should be given any benefit as far as fitness levels are concerned.”

According to the official, those who failed to meet the fitness standards earlier had been given two months to help improve their levels and the Test on Monday would be a part of that process.

While Pakistan Cricket has been on a downward spiral, one area that has been a hot topic of concern is that of the fitness levels of several key players in comparison to their respective counterparts from other international sides.

Following Pakistan’s disastrous show in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, the former Team Director, Muhammad Hafeez and the former skipper, Misbah ul Haq had all revealed that the former Coach, Mickey Arthur and the skipper Babar Azam had given instructions to the trainer to not put pressure on players with regards to fitness and allow them to focus on their performances on the field.

Pakistan Cricket has been hitting new lows which is likely prompting the PCB to make wholesale changes to the setup. The side are from the dominant force of old. They were unable to make it to the knockouts of the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup and most recently suffered a whitewash defeat against Bangladesh at their home ground for the first time in history.

(with PTI Inputs)