Pakistan cricket is at an all-time low. The team faced embarrassment with an early exit from the World Cup 2023 and heavy criticism for failing to reach the Super 8 round in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Concerns were raised about squad selection, particularly regarding the players’ fitness. Azam Khan, in particular, was under scrutiny for his poor performance with the bat and lack of contribution in the field. Other players, including Babar Azam, also faced criticism for their declining fitness levels, with some calling for their removal from the team.
In response, Pakistan’s Test head coach Jason Gillespie addressed the issue, issuing a stern warning to unfit players. Ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting on August 21, Gillespie emphasized that fitness is a top priority for selection. He stated, “National teams are not where you still question a player’s value. If there are any perceptions about a player’s place, he has to change it with his performance and attitude. My mantra is that we should only have fit, robust, and strong players in the Test side because, in modern-day cricket of any format, fitness is a must.”
There are also reports that the PCB is likely to reintroduce the yo-yo test as a selection criterion.
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