The Pakistan cricket team’s recent loss to England by an innings and 47 runs in the Multan Test has left fans and critics questioning not just the on-field performance but also the players’ fitness levels. Despite scoring over 500 runs in their first innings, Pakistan couldn’t avoid a heavy defeat, sparking concerns about the fitness and preparation of the squad.
According to a report from “Pakistan Cricket,” several players in the squad failed to meet the required fitness standards. Saud Shakeel, one of Pakistan’s top performers in the longer format, barely passed the fitness test, which included a 2-km run. Players are expected to complete five laps of the ground in under eight minutes, but many reportedly struggled to meet this benchmark.
Players like Kamran Ghulam and Zahid Mahmood were released from the squad even before the series began due to fitness issues. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has since announced that it will conduct fitness tests for four key players—Kamran Ghulam, Zahid Mahmood, Imam-ul-Haq, and Nauman Ali—before the next Test match.
Pakistan, after posting a strong total of 556 runs, allowed England to respond with a massive score of 823, thanks to impressive performances from Harry Brooks and Joe Root. Pakistan’s batting lineup then collapsed in their second innings, managing just 220 runs.
Adding to the team’s woes, spinner Abrar Ahmed, who fell ill during the first Test, remains hospitalized. With the second Test scheduled to begin on October 15 in Multan, Pakistan cricket will be hoping that their key players recover from both fitness and health setbacks.