Fitness tests of contracted players through video link

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to have fitness tests of centrally and provincially contracted players through video link.

It has been learnt that the PCB plans to start tests from April 20. Head coach-cum-chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq has sent the plan to all the players via WhatsApp. All players have to score 18 points in YoYo Test. The plan doesn’t include long-running, skin fold tests, gym, and physical fitness. These tests will be taken in the first week of June. The PCB confirmed that these tests are a part of central contracts.

Earlier players’ fitness tests were postponed due to coronavirus outbreak in the country. All sports activities have come to standstill as the country is under lockdown. In March, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was also postponed due to the same reason. It would the fifth players’ fitness test of the year. The online is part of PCB plan to to keep national players active during this trying time. The PCB has already sent a fitness test plan to the contracted players.

Misbah has prepared a fitness-test plan after consultation with the national team's trainer. According to the plan, players will have to do 60 push-ups in one minute, 50 pickups in one minute, ten full range pickups, 30 burps and 25 scats in one minute. In the test, players will have a 2.5 meter board jump, reverse plank in two minutes.There will be no gym, long running and skin fold tests during the fitness test; the players will have their sixth and last physical fitness test in the first week of June.