More than half of the 31 players attending Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) training camp at Kakul Academy in Abbottabad under the supervision of Pakistan Army have failed their fitness test, the other day.
According to reports, four players who have been outstanding in the fitness drills are Test Captain Misbahul Haq, Senior batsman Younus Khan, Fawad Alam and Shan Masood.
“However, what is of concern is that apart from a few players, rest have failed to impress the military trainers, fielding coaches, and fitness trainer Grant Ludan,” a source said on condition of anonymity.
The fitness drills carried out by military trainers include long distance running, 100 metre sprints, hurdles sprint and steep climbing.
According to the source, after initial camp results, the trainers have now devised a new plan for players.
The selectors had initially invited 35 players for the camp, leaving out senior players like Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul and former T20 captain Shahid Afridi.
However, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Zulfiqar Babar and Imad Wasim were all ruled out of the boot camp before it began due to fitness issues, whereas Yasir Shah missed the opening day of camp citing pain in his left knee.