The Pakistan cricket team has become a laughing stock, and righty so. Despite scoring over 500 runs in the Multan Tests first innings, they managed to lose it by an innings and 47 runs against England. But apart from poor execution on the field, fitness could be a vital aspect of them performing poorly.
PAK vs ENG
As per a report in “Pakistan Cricket”, many of the players failed to achieve the pre-requisite fitness standards for a match. The report suggested that Saud Shakeel, who has been their best batter in the longest format, for some time now, barely passed his fitness test, that included a 2-km run with a score of 30. There the players are needed to complete 5 laps of the ground in under eight minutes.
Pakistan Cricket in Doldrums
While Saud made the cut, many failed in it too. Even before the series started, the likes of Kamran Ghulam and Zahid Mahmood were released from the squad over fitness issues. Now, in the light of these developments, the PCB has decided to conduct fitness tests for only four players — Kamran Ghulam, Zahid Mahmood, Imam-ul-Haq, and Nauman Ali.
It must be reminded, that Pakistan, despite scoring 556 in the first innings, conceded a lead of over 200 runs, as Harry Brooks and Joe Root took England to 823. After that, the hosts were bundled out for 220 only, with their top batsmen failing again.
On the other hand, spinner Abrar Ahmed, who fell ill during the first Test, is still in the hospital. The second Test is supposed to start from October 15 in Multan again. Pakistan cricket would only pray that their top players overcome their fitness issues.
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