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'Can't Afford Unfit...': Pakistan Coach Stresses Fitness Concerns Before England Tests

Pakistan red-ball coach Jason Gillespie [Source: @sujeetsuman1991/X.com]Pakistan red-ball coach Jason Gillespie [Source: @sujeetsuman1991/X.com]

Pakistan's red-ball head coach, Jason Gillespie, has voiced concerns over the fitness levels of the national team ahead of their upcoming Test series against England. Appointed in April, Gillespie aims to turn around Pakistan’s recent struggles after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Bangladesh. With a three-match series against England starting in Multan, Gillespie has made player fitness a key focus.

Reflecting on the Bangladesh series, Gillespie was candid about Pakistan's performance, recognizing the need for more consistency in both their fitness and skills. He expressed concern that some players are struggling to keep up with the physical demands of international cricket, saying, 

"We can't afford to have players in international cricket who are not fit or strong enough to negotiate the rigours of the game." 

Despite the setback, Gillespie remains optimistic, emphasizing the potential within the squad but underscoring the necessity to fine-tune their performance. 

"What I've learned from the Bangladesh series is that we've got some wonderful players, but we need to be more consistent. We've got the skills but we need to keep fine-tuning them," he said.

Player fitness has emerged as a cornerstone of Gillespie's strategy moving forward. With Pakistan facing a strong England side led by Brendon McCullum, fitness levels will play a crucial role in determining their success in the series. Gillespie made it clear that fitness is now a central component of Pakistan's approach, stating, 

"There's also been plenty of talks around fitness and we're making sure that it's a key component for us going forward."

Jason Gillespie Backs Shan Masood

In addition to improving overall fitness, the team’s mental and strategic approach has been aligned with the captain, Shan Masood, who, despite criticism for recent performances, has retained Gillespie’s confidence. “Shan has got a very clear plan on how the Test side should play, and we are completely aligned on that,” Gillespie added.

Pakistan Squad For first Test Against England

Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Zahid Mehmood