England vs Pakistan 2016: Shocking fitness test results of Pakistan cricketers

England vs Pakistan 2016 test, ODI and a T20 game series is scheduled to be play from 14th of July 2016. The Pakistan side being deprived of playing any international cricket in their home soil, will rely greatly on the series to keep their momentum going in the international cricket. In the same time it will be the first bilateral series between the two sides since 2010, the year spot fixing scandal was flared up resulting in the proscription of three of Pakistan players. Muhammad Amir, Muhammad Asif and Salman Butt was caught fixing the game against England back in 2010.

With England vs Pakistan 2016 series on the focus, team Pakistan is currently busy with their tough fitness schedule, to be conducted by Pakistan army at Kakul Military Academy in Abbottabad. Pakistan team was knocked out of the group stages of recent T20 world cup after displaying a poor show of run. However with some major changes in the selection as well as the coaching department, green shirts are set to invade the British soil after a long time. England vs Pakistan 2016 tour will be the first campaign of the newly appointed head coach Mickey Arthur as well. The former Australian is well aware of the challenges ahead of him as the Pakistani coach however the news regarding the fitness test of players conducted recently may not be much pleasing for him.

It has been reported that at the end of the training camp organized in Abbottabad under the supervision of Pakistan Army, almost half (15) of the 31 shortlisted team players have failed to pass the fitness test. Misbah Ul Haq however, along with Younis Khan, Shaan Masood and Fawad Alam are reported to have cleared the test satisfactorily. As reported by sources these fitness tests were comprised of long distance running, 100-metre sprints, hurdle sprints and steep climbing carried out by the Military trainers.

“What is of concern is that apart from few players rest have just failed to satisfy the military trainers and the Pakistan team fielding coach and fitness trainer Grant Luden in the fitness drills,” PTI quoted the source. “Misbah, Younis, Shaan and Fawad have maintained a consistent standard.”

“The PCB has made it very clear that fitness will be a key element while deciding the touring squad for England,” the source added. “One reason for the decline in the team’s performances in the limited over formats in recent months has been the general low level of fitness among the players. This fact had been highlighted by outgoing coach, Waqar Younis and the senior manager, Intikhab Alam in their reports after the Asia Cup and World T20.”