E-Paper | November 15, 2026

Cricketers given fitness training the military way at PMA Kakul

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Batsman Fawad Alam and opener Shaan Masood are the fittest players in the training camp underway at Pakistan Military Academy Kakul, ahead of the teams tour to England.

More than 30 cricketers are attending the camp, however, a dozen of them have been unable to meet the fitness criteria required to pass the tests, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said.

“Despite the age gap, captain Misbah-ul- Haq and batsman Younis Khan are among the toppers in the fitness tests,” the official added.

He said that the players with most below par performances, who were unable to reach the required fitness level, include Zulfiqar Babar and Sohaib Maqsood.

“The selectors and PCB are very concerned about the fitness tests and top priority will be given to players who are in good shape,” he said.

Pakistan's disastrous show in the Asia Cup and World Twenty20 was due to bad fitness level of national players, the PCB official said, adding “this issue was also mentioned by former coach Waqar Younis and team manager Intikhab Alam”.

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Mustafa
May 19, 2016 10:38pm
Good to see them working hard. Way to go.
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ENGR OSMAN
May 19, 2016 10:42pm
Shan Masood must be made captain...with Azhar Ali his VC. Also, they must invite Hammad Azam to the camp.
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a
May 19, 2016 10:42pm
Good to see. Anyone who fails stringent fitness requirements should not be considered for selection.
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saeeds
May 19, 2016 10:44pm
With facilities like this ,I don't understand how you evaluate someone fitness. PCB have enough money and resources to upgrade equipment and procedure. Get rid of PT teacher and get pro.
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Freeman
May 19, 2016 10:46pm
Don't forget mental fitness. That too is equally important
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The illuminated one
May 19, 2016 10:47pm
Yes good idea. Let them spend 2 weeks with Mr. Raheel, he will smack the discipline into these vagabond kids. Make them suffer for their millions, make them sweat and then some more be relentless. If Mr. Musharraf has nothing to do, let him give these privileged kids some commando bootcamp training. Then we will separate the kids from the men.
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tariq_canada
May 19, 2016 10:53pm
keep it up lets them work out their best to perform best
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Ahmed USA
May 19, 2016 11:04pm
Excellent!!! Let them also take PMA oath at the end of their training session...
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Ali
May 19, 2016 11:05pm
That is stupid. Who can come with this ridiculous idea? Athletic training had to be different from military. Ever heard Usain Bolt doing the training with Navy Seal commandoes?
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Satt
May 19, 2016 11:18pm
No use.After so much of training,these guys would be feeling hungry and away from the eyes of others they will be full on munching beef burgers,so everything back to square.Pakistani team hasn't just lost fitness but also confidence and belief that they can win.No exercise can change your mindset.
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Arslan
May 19, 2016 11:22pm
Can civilian institutes do anything right other than corruption?
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Muhammad Ajmal
May 19, 2016 11:25pm
rough them up a little bit!
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zaeemuddin
May 19, 2016 11:30pm
Good training for the health and heart.
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SAEED MASOOD
May 19, 2016 11:38pm
Not only physical but also mental training is need for our cricket team...
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Hasnain Haque
May 19, 2016 11:56pm
Being fit is the basis requirement.
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cricketer
May 20, 2016 12:05am
Its because of this laziness that they don't field well,they cant take quick singles,they cant stop singles,they don't score runs,and in the end failing to make an impact.
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Ajaz
May 20, 2016 12:09am
That shows no institute performd required operations. Everybody needs army
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Xavi
May 20, 2016 12:13am
I have seen some videos on other website on these trainings and feel bad to say, I am better than most of these so called professional guys.
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VoiceOfReason
May 20, 2016 12:32am
Sorry but not going to happen overnight. Good for long run i.e if the mentality changes going forward.
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asif
May 20, 2016 01:09am
right step in the right direction, since these things take time. Also, after this training is done , Mickey is going to keep them on their tows as well. Those who thinks this is stupid , are the same people who are ruining this country. Keep it up and sweat these boys and lazy ones should be shown to door. Army training is going to give them mental fitness as well
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Safir siddiqui
May 20, 2016 01:15am
lt is heartening to see our smart crickerters under going fitness training at PMA Kakul.It is very good thinking on the part of PCB.I have a suggestion to make.Since fitness is an all time requirement of the game of cricket,one officer(PTSO)and two PT instructors from PMA should be attached with cricket team to make our cricketers do physical training regularly.The officer and PT staff should be posted on rotation of one year only.Fitness is the hall mark of any game.See the fitness of Germans,Dutch,Australians hockey players,unfortunately Pakistani hockey players noticeably suffer from fitness problem.Amongst indoor training,they should be given pep talk on Leadership,Mannerism Discipline,Patriotism,and above all they should be taught English Language.It is doable.
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RIZ
May 20, 2016 01:45am
Good to see but a mistake from PCB to put Yasir Shah in this sort of training camp knowing that he recently recover from injury now the result is he most probably be out of England tour. With this training players should also be restricted with their diet plan whether they are with the team or not otherwise they put up weight really fast.
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Hakim
May 20, 2016 02:00am
Actually, these professionals should have been doing this kind if training the whole year. If some of them even cannot pass basic fitness test, then they should not be in the team. Heck, this is their profession. I am working 8 hours a days. Why can't these "professionals" work multiple hours a days on their fitness?
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Omar
May 20, 2016 05:09am
The question is what PCB had been doing all those years.Besides,doing some push ups,shin up and short climb up the hill is not fitness test by any stretch of the imagination. PCB management and it's players are cut out to compete in pakora and chaat eating competitions.
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Shazad
May 20, 2016 05:21am
@Freeman: You are right. Mental fitness is important. Once mental fitness would become part of Pak Cricket team than players like Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Akmal brothers and Ahmed Shahzad would have to see the door.
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T.M.Wazir
May 20, 2016 06:25am
Physical fitness is utmost important for any game but mental training is also very crucial to how to keep their mind focused during the play in the field. This is one quality most of our cricket players lacked during their many previous games. I hope they find someone who can teach them how to stay focus even under the pressure. Good luck.
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Vijay
May 20, 2016 06:49am
Not sure because we had a disaster when Greg tried this military type trainings with Indian Team. They were fatigue instead fit. Hope it wont be the case this time..I just wish them luck for upcoming England tour.
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Shaukat Ali Khan
May 20, 2016 07:34am
They are going to play cricket not participate in military exercises. General physical fitness OK but specific fitness varies as per actual need of the game. Please be realistic.
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Majid Ali
May 20, 2016 07:42am
So PCB have these facilities to prepare future team? Are these KG kids? Look like the my street cricket team have better fitness and equipment then these ......
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Osman
May 20, 2016 07:43am
Are u kidding me. Is this our international team. Why do we have PT teachers training them. Why they are lifting weights with the wrong posture. Why are they training on a grass ground? Are u kidding me PCB. Really. Are u kidding me? Is this the pride of Pakistan?
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imran8t8
May 20, 2016 08:21am
Finally some sense of merit
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MNKhan
May 20, 2016 08:25am
Idiotic thinking by PCB and fans alike. The whole world has embraced modern methods for maintaining players in top condition but we are still stuck in mindset of putting players under military style camps which instead of improving fitness increases risk of injuries When our management will understand the importance of sports sciences?
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jinka
May 20, 2016 09:26am
This is a joke...PCB academy should have these facilities and all the boys should be doing it by themselves not with supervision. They should have an urge to fit themselves not forced upon. Only couple of them are doing the work right and that tells a lot that normal life they don't strenuous workout.
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Saqlain
May 20, 2016 09:47am
I really hope cadets of Pakistani Army are not getting their training like this. If they are then I am concerned. Why do these players have to travel to PMA for this training. Any fitness trainer can get these drills in Lahore. There is nothing really unique in these routines.
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Wani
May 20, 2016 10:30am
If fitness is the only criteria then why not select all players from Army. I hope PCB doesn't get too much carried away with physical fitness and forget the importance of skills and mental alertness which is even more important in cricket. Inzi is a classic example, he was never the fittest players but one of the most successful batsman in Pakistan ever.
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khurram s
May 20, 2016 10:46am
They are not young as PMA cadets and their goals are different. This regime can be introduced for new players and be made tailor made for these players to avoid injuries
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khurram s
May 20, 2016 10:47am
@Ali totally agree with you
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Hussain Khan
May 20, 2016 11:12am
Fitness, honesty, patriotism and discipline should prevail.
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Anis
May 20, 2016 11:23am
Sports require skill. Next would be training chess players like this.
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abdul karim
May 20, 2016 12:08pm
so by giving them a army training, will they start scoring more runs on the field? catching the most simple catches and start developing good understanding while running between wickets? its work on theirs skills PCB no player will ever pass these training and might not be able to continue it
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Farrukh Arshad
May 20, 2016 12:11pm
@SAEEDS: Its not the equipment that makes the fitness of individual, its the technique, intensity and hard work of the individual. If you are not a fitness freak I can safely say you can not do a simple 4 minute HIIT style training just including some jumping jacks, sprints on slope (there is a slope in the picture), planks, pull-ups (these 4 does not require any fancy equipment). If you ever tried to trained even in the gym of a fancy equipment, a good instructor will always say you to stay away of machines instead to use free weights. I am sure the PMA Kakool will be more than enough for the fitness of any type of profession, afterall this academy train professional soldiers.
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Malik
May 20, 2016 12:24pm
@Ali - It's physical fitness training, not rifle or hand grenade throw training :)
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Tahir
May 20, 2016 12:34pm
Pcb over the 15 yrs must have been sleeping as fitness problems have been noticed by all fans and critics. If your representing your country.. You have to be in peak form otherwise go home.
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Seriously
May 20, 2016 12:44pm
@saeeds They're not PT teachers, they're trainers at PMA. They train the soldiers. This is literally boot camp.
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Arshad
May 20, 2016 12:46pm
They should also undergo soldier-cut hair treatment to look better Pakistani Players. Our Army will correct all the ills in our society!
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Arslan
May 20, 2016 01:13pm
Its what one eats that matters the most for the exercise to be effective. High carb good will always result in body becoming slow.
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AIZ
May 20, 2016 01:23pm
Good work, cannot see the whole group. only handful people are being shown in pics
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Zulfiqar
May 20, 2016 01:25pm
This Training will make the Pakistan Cricket Team the best in the World. As we have best Army in the World.
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ANEES
May 20, 2016 01:30pm
about time!! if you cant run 100-200 metres in a certain time then you are not fit to play!! simple as that.
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JAMIL
May 20, 2016 01:44pm
Pakistan Cricket Board should accept there failure and resign. Why we need Army for help in All sort of Work. Because all institutions are fail and corrupt. After few year I belief (May God forbidden me) they control the Traffic too.
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Inzy
May 20, 2016 01:48pm
@Ali once trained in military tactics, they could be used for dual purposes
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aamer nawaz
May 20, 2016 01:49pm
What would the Miliatry Fitness trainer know about the particular fitness needed in cricket ?? This is an era of sophisticated understanding of muscle groups needed to perform better in cricket yout needed specialized cricket fitness gurus , you have to look at the credentials of the Fitness trainers befor hiring them , what kind of cricketers and athletes PMA has produced ? They have totally different perspective of fitness and training , PCB should have hired fitness trainers from Australia /NZ if they really want to improve the cricket fitness and the mindset to go about it ,
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Ijaz
May 20, 2016 02:06pm
Fitness is important but not the be all and end all of things. I remember players like Inzamam, Zaheer Abbas, Geoff Boycott and John Edrich who were not the fittest you will ever meet but their raw talent and above all TECHNIQUE was their strength. Modern Pakistan players not only lack fitness but also technique, discipline and application. Therefore they need sports psychologists more than fitness instructors.
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Haider Rehman
May 20, 2016 02:09pm
@Ali They aren't getting military training. This is peanuts compared to the training cadets endure
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Shakeel
May 20, 2016 02:40pm
@Ali Usain Bolt wins regularly. Ever heard of the Pakistani team doing that? If they were Champions their fitness would not be questioned. Also basic fitness everywhere is just the same. Everyone needs to have muscular and cardiovascular stamina and strength. Sprinters don't focus on running all day long, a lot of their exercises are based on weight lifting and jumping to generate the power to project themselves quickly.
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Yasir Mansoor
May 20, 2016 02:51pm
Their Efforts won't be misplaced .. They should hang some weights and let them run as fast as they can atleast their running btw the wickets would be better and if within their training they could learn to co-ordinate within themselves that would be much more Effective..!!!
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aashish
May 20, 2016 03:03pm
Physical fitness is gud, but what about mental fitness??
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zehab faisal
May 20, 2016 03:12pm
goog job
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Basit Ali
May 20, 2016 04:10pm
Great initiative,
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Krezy
May 20, 2016 04:22pm
For all those criticizing the fitness regime, I have one thing to say... Please consult a physical trainer Or visit any professional gym... U will be amazed to see that building muscles through machines does not add to sharpness and athleticism to your body (Normally referred as Strength Training)... These high intensity and body weight exercises helps to improve physical agility, adaptability, sharpness and responsiveness... They are just normal exercise which every cadet performs (PMA Kakul is for cadet training and not for commando training i.e. in Cherat)... So be cool and let them perform the hard work... If you dont believe then just read the Grant Flower's report on team's fitness...
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aLeX
May 20, 2016 04:36pm
Now that's what should be called mending pak cricket on war footing!
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US CENTCOM
May 20, 2016 04:38pm
I think fitness should be given a high priority and the team management is doing the right thing by setting the tone.
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JAS
May 20, 2016 04:47pm
Why don't they take Saqlain Mushtaq and Saleemullah wasti in team.
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Yasir
May 20, 2016 04:54pm
I just laughed looking at the faces. "What the hell have we go ourselves into!!" "This is not what I signed up for" ... their faces says it all
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Omar Hayat
May 20, 2016 05:49pm
If you don't have skill training is of no use. If these players can't pull a short ball for a six or can't play on the up through extra cover or can't play an arrow headed on drive it doesn't matter even if u train them like commandos they will be of no use we need quality international batsman with skill to hit the ball properly take a look at big easy inzy he was all skill and saeed anwer we need to produce match winning players like them
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roy
May 20, 2016 06:45pm
once upon a time... we were doing same.. and great to see that they are tested this way either, which is a fair way to get someone's fitness known.
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Indian
May 20, 2016 06:48pm
Lifting 20 pounds is a warm up for me. This type of workouts i do every week...
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ABL
May 20, 2016 07:09pm
Seriously? Our nation as a whole, is accustomed to martial law!! Whether a sports institution or a government. Interesting!!
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Engineer
May 20, 2016 07:24pm
Shukriya Raheel Sharif... :)
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abdullah
May 20, 2016 07:45pm
...by now PCB coaches should have a standard fitness routine for all contracted players for on/off season, introduce fitness checks throughout the season like dope tests. They should also introduce this to all the cricketers playing so called Pak first class cricket. PCB needs to register all the coaches in the country & introduce fitness to them so they can include in their program, they can also develop their coaching levels to international standards with certification only this way they will have long term development.
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Ayaat
May 20, 2016 07:46pm
Both pakistani & bangladeshi players lack proper fitness compared to the indians, so its a good initiative!!
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Reality
May 20, 2016 08:07pm
Don't tell me, were "all the boys" not getting such kind of trainings in the past under the umbrella of PCB? This is just one of training i.e. physical and it seems that PCB is lacking in grounds and poles.
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Riaz
May 20, 2016 08:36pm
I know the players were not fit but seeing the pictures I realise how,unfit they are....truly shocking. No discipline, wrong life style. The training should have been done long time ago...to close to the test series....to make a difference...also likely to breakdown. These guys need to sign a id tract which details the fitness level,they need to mani town through strict diet and exercise. I am not convinced they are professional,enough to buy into this. I reckon Aghanistan players so much fitter visibly!!
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AG
May 20, 2016 08:38pm
Now Army has one more job to do, train our so called "players"
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imran
May 20, 2016 09:18pm
Raheel Sharif should be made chairman PCB.
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azkhan71
May 20, 2016 09:39pm
Its about time for their fitness....I am sure this training session will also bring some discipline in the team.
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Zack Khan
May 20, 2016 09:58pm
LOL!!!
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Reality
May 20, 2016 10:13pm
If this was the case with PCB, that they were lacking in providing physical training to players, then all the members of PCB should go to their home and enjoy their life. What kind of management is there in PCB, they don't have the balls and poles, this is really shocking.
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kalhoro
May 21, 2016 01:40am
fitness should individual prime responsibility along with diet. There business is remain physically and mentally fit.
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Ahamd
May 21, 2016 03:05am
all they looked spoiled and without sports man look
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Sandy
May 21, 2016 11:34am
Don't they have any cricket ground??
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Kranti
May 21, 2016 11:36am
What exercise Shahid Afridi did to hit those Sixer's, Nothing...These exercises are a sheer waste... Cricketers need talent, not rigorous workouts...
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roy
May 21, 2016 01:42pm
@Indian They are also warming up! Furthermore, they ain't going for a weight-lifting competition! nor the weight-lifting ensures the fitness!
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roy
May 21, 2016 01:44pm
@Zulfiqar Bro there is a lot of difference between the army and the cricket team. Its a huge mountains of motivation and aim that differs the two. So tho reach those heights of fame across the globe like the Pakistan Army, they really need to scale such mountains!
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Shahrukh
May 21, 2016 03:43pm
@Ali Exactly. Besides, if fitness is the key to selection, then shouldn't the training have been conducted before the player pool was finalised for the English tour.
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Mansoor
May 21, 2016 03:45pm
After losing the T20 Cup, the PCB comes to the Kakul Academy. We always learn the hard ways, but we never mend our ways even then.
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Haider
May 21, 2016 06:39pm
After all sense prevailed
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Zak
May 21, 2016 07:01pm
So now we need military to excel in sports too. Where is the country headed?
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Zahid
May 21, 2016 09:25pm
This is a good start but I feel it's too late before the England tour, it should have started earlier and whosoever fails should be given 3-6 months to get in shape. I fear this will be another egg in PCB's face. What happens if 70-80% of players doesn't meet the fitness criteria, which it appears to be. Which magic wand then PCB is going to use to bring the fit players ? This do convey the right message to the players but give them bit of time to get serious now, otherwise you will end up with taking 20-30% fit players and 70-80% not so fit players. Also at least 2-3 players will get injured and the cycle continues.
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Smo
May 22, 2016 04:19am
Seriously army training and sports training are 2 different things. Can a hockey team train with cricket team and players be judged based on hockey skills?
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joe
May 22, 2016 05:09am
Do you have any institutions called National Sports institution .Train them there.Army fitness training is not like sports fitness training. Do the Americas athletes train with SEALS. What a joke.
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Justiceforall
May 22, 2016 10:33am
After training get them to plant some trees on the barren mountains I can see in the back ground
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FahadBangali
May 22, 2016 11:58am
These sort of fitness tests has to be conducted in the age levels rather than in the international level.PCB officials always hide behind these funny ideas.
Recommend 0
NKAli
May 22, 2016 12:06pm
Excellento! Viva! Bravo Pak Army! Can you imagine mullah Fazlur Rahman, Nawaz Sharif, and Asif Zardari undergoing training? Oh, how I wish this dream comes true! Younis Khan must increase shoulder strength and improve his mental aggression if he has set his sights on ODIs and T20s. No more text book stylish cricket. Those days are GONE, Younis. Salams
Recommend 0
Truth Sayer
May 22, 2016 12:12pm
Not surprised at all that Younis n Misbah r top in fitness tests. No wonder they both r world class professional players. They both have the physical n mental strength which only comes with intense training n healthy life style After this training session - PCB shuld improve its own fitness facilities - It is their Job to do so - not of Army It's a high time PCB shuld hire proper fitness professionals for training our players - teach them proper fitness routines, technique n diets. Make them learn that it's a life style change not a daily or weekly thing.
Recommend 0
KB
May 22, 2016 12:14pm
As Always, its our great Army who comes for the rescue.
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Fazza
May 22, 2016 02:32pm
@NKAli Imagine Top politicians physical fitness test and 100 mts dash among Nawaz,Zardari,Fazlur and Imran guess who will be the winner...
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Laugh out loud
May 22, 2016 06:57pm
This is dumb. Military fitness and sports fitness are totally different. These are military instructors, they don't know anything about training sportsmen. Sportsmen are very sensitive to injury. Even the slightest injury would mean they can't perform. Stop this now. All you will do is injure them.
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ABDUS
May 22, 2016 07:01pm
@Freeman definition of Health is physical fitness. + mental fitness
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hnmirza
May 22, 2016 08:28pm
@Safir siddiqui What has learning English got to do with performance on the field?
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