Rizwan steals limelight in pre-season fitness tests

Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan stole the limelight on the first day of pre-season fitness tests, at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.

According to details, Rizwan registered a Yo-Yo Test score of 19:2 — which was highest among the players who appeared for fitness tests on Tuesday.

Meanwhile opener Shan Masood and middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq registered scores of 19:1 and 19 respectively.  

Hasan Ali likely to sit out pre-season fitness tests

Fourteen centrally contracted and six additional men cricketers have been invited to attend the pre-season camp. After two days of fitness testing, the 17-day conditioning camp will begin on August 22 and run until September 7.

Centrally contracted: Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah

Non-Contracted players: Asif Ali, Bilal Asif, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mir Hamza, Rahat Ali and Zafar Gohar

Non-participating centrally contracted players: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Amir

As the process for the appointment of the players support personnel has been initiated, former captain Misbahul Haq, with the support of the NCA coaching staff, will craft the training programme and overlook of the camp until the recruitment process has concluded.

Misbah top contender for Pakistan’s head coach position

During the pre-season camp, the players will undergo fielding drills and net sessions, along with fitness and other cricketing activities.

The camp has been set up to prepare the players for a competitive and challenging domestic and international cricket season, which is expected to begin with the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Trophy from September 12.