PCB to conduct online fitness tests for Under-19 players

The Pakistan Cricket Board, on Sunday (June 21), announced its decision to conduct online fitness tests for a group of Under-19 cricketers. 19 players will be tested in batches over the course of the next week - between June 22-26.



The assessment is designed to keep promising cricketers focused and motivated as outdoor activities have come to a stop due to COVID-19 induced lockdown. Their hand-eye coordination, body balance, core muscles, lower body strength and upper body endurance will be evaluated through the test.



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“Physical fitness is one of the key elements for any cricketer in order to be successful and thrive in this day and age,” said Urooj Mumtaz Khan, chair of Pakistan’s selection panel. “It is important that players are made aware of these requirements right from the moment they enter the system.”



“With the aim to create a fitness-centric environment, these players have been engaged in training programs provided by strength and conditioning coach over the past two months. The testing battery has been designed keeping in mind the challenges of training indoor in these unprecedented times.”



The investment on this group of emerging players is part of the board's strategy to enhance the pool of players by building a strong high-performance pathway structure right from the age-group level.



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The players selected to undergo testing were chosen based on their performances through the country's Under-18 women's T20 championship - a four-team tournament conducted in Lahore in November 2019. After that tournament, the players were also part of a 14-day training camp at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre in Karachi.



“The investment in women cricketers at the emerging and age group level is of great significance for the PCB as they are the future of the game and it is important that the board regularly engages with these players and assists them in understanding the essential attributes of modern-day cricket. The PCB through its Skills2Shine and Cric4Us initiatives has undertaken various programs to broaden the pool of women players,” Mumtaz added.



List of players: Anoosha Nasir, Arijah Haseeb, Fajar Naveed, Fatima Khan, Gul Rukh, Gul Uswa, Hamna Bilal, Hania Ahmar, Khusbakht Waseem, Laiba Fatima, Laraib Malik, Laveeza Munir, Momina Riasat Khan, Nazish Rafique, Rida Aslam, Saima Malik, Shawal Zulfiqar, Yusra Amir, Zaib-un-Nisa