Published 13:09 IST, October 19th 2022

Ex-Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq trashes Babar Azam-led team, says 'they can't move'

Misbah during an interview pointed out that some of the players in the Pakistan team look out of shape and apart from a few no one else takes fitness seriously.

Reported by: Suraj Alva
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Image: AP/PCB | Image: self
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Pakistan cricket team did t have best start to ir T20 World Cup preparation after losing ir opening warm-up match to England.   team led by Shab Khan were handed a 6-wicket loss by England. Regular skipper Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohamm Rizwan opted to t play opening match. Former Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq h some harsh words for team after ir loss in first warm-up match. 

Misbah-ul-Haq takes a jibe at fitness of Pakistan players

48-year-old Misbah during an interview pointed out that some of players in Pakistan team look out of shape and that apart from a few one else takes fitness seriously.  Speaking to cricket Pakistan he said, "Clear cut, fitness issues are visible, Waqar left four times [as coach], I left once. Players like myself, Shoaib Malik, and Younis Khan were quite into fitness, and we used to push ourselves. Those who push ors out of ir limitations are t considered good trainers r good coaches. ir tummies are visible; ir lower are heavy and y can't move. reason behind this is re has t been a single fitness test, re is benchmark."

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Misbah during interview also pointed escape fact that things should be changed at domestic level to secure next generation of players for national team. former cricketer also shed limelight on how people responsible would casually react when being asked to emphasize fitness. He said "Fitness test level during domestic season becomes a joke. We used to have arguments that we used to say that standard used for international level must be used for domestic level as well. responsible people at domestic level always opposed us related to fitness." India vs Pakistan match is scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 23rd.

Pakistan's participation in ODI World Cup doubtful  

Pakistan Cricket Board on Tuesday threatened to pull out of ODI World cup following comments me by BCCI secretary Jay Shah regarding hosting  Asia Cup at a neutral venue. India does play Pakistan at global or continental events but haven't travelled to neighbouring country since 2008 Asia Cup. Pakistan last came to India for a short six-match white ball bilateral series in 2012. 

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Following statement from Jay Shah sources close to PCB chairman, Ramiz Raja indicated that one of options that y are mulling after Shah's statement is to pull out of 50-over ICC World Cup in India.  A senior PCB source speaking to PTI on conditions of anymity said  " PCB is w prepared to take hard decisions and play hardball because it is also aware that ICC and ACC events will have to face commercial liabilities and losses if Pakistan does t play India in se multi-team events,"

13:09 IST, October 19th 2022