Mumbai, July 28: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has introduced a comprehensive and stringent fitness policy for domestic cricket, as reported by sources. This initiative, led by the new head of sports medicine, aims to help players meet international standards.
This decision comes at a time when many players have been submitting medical certificates to avoid domestic matches, opting instead for lucrative franchise cricket. According to a report by Telecom Asia Sport, there is a pressing need to address this growing trend.
Sources informed TelecomAsia.net, “Many players are avoiding domestic competitions by submitting medical certificates to conserve their energy for franchise cricket, where they earn three times more than in domestic matches.”
Teams like Pakistan have lagged in meeting international fitness standards, often losing players due to fitness issues. Since the appointment of the new sports medicine director, Dr. Javed Mughal, strict fitness protocols have been implemented.
Sources revealed that senior players such as Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Fakhar Zaman, and Naseem Shah have also been held accountable and instructed to adhere to the established fitness routines. Rizwan even faced exclusion from a tour until he completed his rehabilitation.
A new two-tier plan has been developed for players of all ages and domestic first-class teams. This plan is tailored to meet the needs of international cricket and is designed to be simple, reliable, robust, and repeatable. Tier 1 includes 20 regional, eight departmental first-class, and over 25 grade-two departmental teams, while Tier 2 is for senior district, under-19 district, under-15, and under-17 regional teams. Tier 1 players will undergo 11 different tests, while Tier 2 players will complete eight tests.
According to the report, “In Tier 1, players will have 17 opportunities to score in 11 tests, while Tier 2 players will have 12 chances in eight tests. Players can pass Tier 1 tests with up to seven ‘red scores’ (poor scores), but those with eight or more red scores will be deemed unsuccessful and can retake the test once. Similarly, Tier 2 players failing with six or more red scores will also fail the tests.”
To maintain these rigorous fitness standards, all players will be required to undergo these fitness tests again after six months. These assessments will be closely monitored and conducted under the supervision of coaches to ensure no player is unfairly passed.
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