LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to organise fitness tests ahead of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh which is set to begin on August 21 in Rawalpindi, sources told Geo News on Monday.
As per the source, the players who are likely to be included in the Test squad are expected to be called on August 9 as the fitness tests will take place on August 10.
The centrally contracted players, along with the Test squad, will also be called for the fitness tests. The PCB is also holding the announcement of central contracts as they want to see how the fitness tests go first as maintaining a specific fitness criteria is one of PCB’s top priorities.
The source further revealed that the cricketers will have to undergo five to six different tests as their fitness levels will be evaluated as per international standards.
Some players of the Test squad may feature in a four-day match against Bangladesh A before the commencement of the series. Pacers Mir Hamza and Naseem Shah are likely to be part of Playing XI.
Bangladesh will travel to Pakistan on August 17th for the two-Test series. The first red-ball match will take place in Rawalpindi from August 21 to 25 and the second will be played in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.
Pakistan’s schedule for remainder of 2024
August: Two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home as part of World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25
October: Three-match Test series against England at home as part of World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25
November 4-18: Travel to Australia to play three ODIs and three T20s
November 20 – December 5: Travel to Zimbabwe to play three ODIs and three T20s
December 10 – January 03, 2025: Travel to South Africa to play Three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests
