"To be honest, the fitness levels of some of our players went down in the last couple of months" - Pakistan vice-captain Saud ShakeelÂ
Newly appointed vice-captain of the Pakistan national Test team, Saud Shakeel, recently said the team's fitness levels have dropped over the last few months. Compared to the other top sides in the world, the Men in Green have been inferior in terms of fitness and skill across formats, and it has cost them dearly.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) tried to drive the cricket team's fitness levels with some grueling drills with the army. However, despite the radical measures, consistent improvement is yet to be seen within the side.
To make matters worse, there has been heavy criticism from fans and pundits alike over the fitness of players like wicket-keeper batter Azam Khan and even skipper Babar Azam.
Saud Shakeel acknowledged the issue and claimed that attaining and maintaining peak levels of fitness is a priority in the new setup.
"To be honest, the fitness levels of some of our players went down in the last couple of months, and they accepted it too. We're currently working hard on our fitness levels, and we are hoping to make it better in the future as well," Saud Shakeel told Cricket Pakistan ahead of the Test series against Bangladesh.
Former player Mohammad Hafeez also expressed his disappointment over Pakistan players' fitness levels, particularly that of Azam Khan.
"After allotting him a 6-week program, when Azam Khan appeared, he was still at the same body weight and body fat level as he was 6 weeks prior. His running ability was also twice as low as the rest of the team. If the rest of the team could cover 2 kilometers in 10 minutes, Azam Khan could only do it in 20 minutes," Hafeez said on a local news channel (via Times of India).
"So, I went to talk to him and asked him why he didn't follow the plan and role given to him. He didn't have any answer, saying he tried his best but couldn't. This is unprofessionalism," Hafeez said on a local news channel," he added.
Fitness would be one of the primary challenges for newly-appointed red-ball coach Jason Gillespie.
"I am honored that I am given the responsibility of being the vice-captain of the Pakistan Test side" - Saud Shakeel
One of the biggest highlights of Pakistan's squad for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh is Saud Shakeel's promotion to the vice-captain's role. The middle-order batter has been a vital cog, especially in Pakistan's red-ball setup in recent times, and has been rewarded for his displays as the team seeks stability.
"I have always enjoyed captaincy, and I am honored that I am given the responsibility of being the vice-captain of the Pakistan Test side. I have always tried to ensure that the runs I score benefit the team's cause," Shakeel told Cricket Pakistan.
The first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to begin from August 21 onwards in Rawalpindi.