PCB threatens contract termination for players failing fitness tests

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken a strict step ahead of the upcoming three-match Test series against the England National Cricket Team. As per the reports in PTI, it is learned that the governing body has warned 6-7 players that they will have to maintain their fitness or otherwise they will be facing contact termination.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) conducted fitness tests of the players earlier this month, and reportedly, few players didn't meet the requirements. And after that, the governing body has now decided to conduct the fitness Test on Monday (30th September) in Lahore ahead of Tests against England.

The reports claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has categorically told players that they won't be compromising on their fitness and they have to meet the requirements. It is also learned that head coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie have asked the chairman that no player should be given any benefit related to fitness.

A source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the development to the PTI. He mentioned: "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.

"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." He added.

PCB gave two months to the players who struggled to meet the benchmark in fitness tests

The reports claimed that fitness Tests are aimed at assessing stamina, endurance, muscle strength, and other crucial factors. The Pakistan Team, since the last few months, has come under serious scanner, and the PCB is making sure they stress on fitness.

It is also learned that PCB gave two months to the players who struggled to meet the benchmark in fitness tests earlier this month to improve their fitness. The reports added that the tests that will be taking place on Monday will be part of the evaluation process.

Fitness became the talking point in Pakistan after it was revealed by former director of cricket Mohammad Hafeez that head coach Mickey Arthur and captain Babar Azam had instructed the trainer not to pressure players on fitness, allowing them to focus on performance. This made things messed up in Pakistan Cricket, and since then, players have been under serious scanner.

The performance of the team hasn't been up to the mark as well. After a debacle in the T20 World Cup 2024, they went on to lose the Test series against Bangladesh National Cricket Team. The Shan Masood-led side faced a 2-0 whitewash and also dented their chances for the final of the ICC World Test Championship.

Pakistan will be next seen in action when they will take on England National Cricket Team in the three-match series. The series will begin from 7th October at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan, followed by the second game to be played at the same venue from 15th October.

The series will conclude in Rawalpindi, which will host the last game from 24th October. The Shan Masood-led side will also be having a pre-match camp ahead of the series opener in Multan, which gets underway on 1st October.