Pakistan Will Not Copy Virat Kohli In Fitness, Will Set Their Own Standard: Waqar Younis

Virat Kohli is one the fittest athlete but Pakistan players are not behind, reckons their bowling coach Waqar Younis. Kohli transformed himself from a chubby boy, playing in the U-19 World Cup, to one of the fittest athlete in the current times. He has often credited former India physio Shankar Basu for his transformation and continues to maintain the same over the years.

Fast bowling legend Waqar Younis believes there are too many fit players on the cricketing circuit and Kohli tops the list. But Pakistan players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi are also supremely fit. He also added that his wards will create their own standard according to their requirements rather copying it from someone like Virat Kohli.

“There is no doubt that there are too many cricketers who are fit. There are three formats when you play all three formats you have to maintain fitness standards. He (Virat) is one of the top athletes in the country. Our boys are not behind. You take Babar Azam, he is very fit. He is also delivering goods. Shaheen Shah Afridi is super fit. We will set our own bar, we not copy someone else. We will set the bar that suits Pakistan cricket and will take the team forward,” he said.

Pakistan will be next seen in action during their Test and T20I series against England. The tour will mark return for Pakistan cricket in international arena after the brief hiatus due to the pandemic.

England will host Pakistan for the Test and T20I series in a specially arranged bio-secure environment to withstand the COVID-19 effect. The tour will get underway from August 5, with the series concluding on September 1.