The lockdown has taken a toll on all cricket activities throughout the world. Cricketers and the boards have tried numerous methods to keep the game warm. Matches from the past are all over YouTube and players are live on social media alongside fans. Entertainment prevails in the crisis as fans get updates from the cricketing world. One of the most reassuring updates came from Pakistan.
The women’s team of the country has not allowed the pandemic to intervene in their goals. Earlier, the coach of the team was in the news for holding classes online. The recent update is regarding the video tests that are slated to start 11th May and will go on until the 20th. As per the reports, the players will undergo several exercises. These may include Bulgarian squats, Vertical Jumps, prone hold, and push-ups. Moreover, the body mass index of the athletes will also be calculated.
It has to be noted that the tests will be outside the fasting hours as the country follows the holy month of Ramadan. To the relief of players, there would be no monetary implications for the players who are rewarded central contracts. The test, importantly, will be supervised by the interim fitness trainer Imran Khalil.
In a statement, the chair of Pakistan’s women selection board said that “The modern-day game requires players to maintain optimum fitness levels at all times. Our aim is to develop a fitness driven culture and inculcate this within the system in order to produce an elite athlete”.
Urooz Mumtaz Khan added that the players will be subjected to test batteries that can be taken up by players who might not have specific equipment with them. They are confined to, mostly, train in their homes. The test allows them to undergo the tasks in their homes only. Further, she stressed that though there are no financial penalties for players who score below the benchmark, the players need to pull up their socks and keep themselves fit and sharp as they are professionals.
Pakistan has been proactive with its women’s team. The team had, earlier, lessons through online videos that are organized by the coach. Moreover, the test will make sure that players are fit and sharp in these times. They will also be focused on the game which is hard in testing times. The availability and acceptance of newer methods are welcome steps by the players.
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