Pakistan's centrally contracted players risk termination if they maintain mediocre fitness levels - Reports
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has warned a section of their centrally contracted players to improve their fitness levels or lose their place on the list. The failing fitness levels of the squad has been a perennial problem for the Men in Green, and the board has made it clear that such standards will no longer be tolerated.
A few of the centrally contracted players did not return satisfying results in the fitness tests conducted by Pakistan fitness trainers and physiotherapists. The squad is set to undergo yet another round of tests on Monday, September 30 ahead of the home series against England.
According to a report by the PTI, the coaching duo of Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten, responsible for the red-ball team and white ball teams respectively, have told PCB to make no exception for any player when it comes to fitness.
The players were awarded central contracts last year after a long tussle between the cricketers and the board. On that occasion, there was a delay in the announcement the new cycle of contracts, primarily due to the change in board leadership.
The list is usually updated every July, but with the list being announced in September 2023, the revamped list for the next cycle has also been naturally delayed.
"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 told PTI.
"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," the source added.
The current Pakistan central contract list includes 27 players, and there is a significant reduction in that number expected upon the suggestion of the newly appointed coaches.
Pakistan players had signed three-year contracts in 2023 only for new management to reduce it to one-year
As mentioned before, it took a while for the players and board to agree to the terms of the contract last year. When the details where ironed out, which included a hike and a share of PCB's revenue, the players signed the contracts, keeping them on hold till 2026.
However, the new PCB regime led by Mohsin Naqvi and the new set of coaches, decided to revert back to an annual system.
“The selectors have recommended no change in the financial part of the central contracts which would now be revised into 12-month contracts with players fitness, behaviour and form all to be assessed every 12 months,” a board official had said back in July.
Pakistan are staring at rock bottom across formats, having been eliminated from the 2024 T20 World Cup in the group stage, and recently losing 0-2 to Bangladesh in a Test series at home.