PCB introduces new fitness policy for Pakistan’s domestic cricketers

WEB DESK: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday introduced a new fitness policy for players across all levels of domestic cricket, aiming to establish a uniform testing system that aligns with the demands of the modern game.

According to a PCB statement, the policy was developed by Director of Sports and Exercise Medicine Javed Mughal and features a two-tier fitness assessment plan for players across different age groups and domestic competitions.

The board said the framework has been designed to be simple, reliable, robust and repeatable, while meeting the physical demands of international cricket.

The policy will apply throughout the 2026-27 domestic season and covers all regional, departmental, district and zonal teams across Pakistan.

Under the new system, Tier 1 includes players from the 20 regional teams, eight departmental first-class teams and more than 25 Grade-II departmental teams. These players will undergo 11 fitness tests, offering 17 scoring opportunities.

Tier 2 covers senior district, Under-19 district, and Under-15 and Under-17 regional teams. Players in this category will complete eight fitness tests with up to 12 scoring opportunities.

Tier 1 players can record up to seven red scores and still pass the assessment. Those with eight or more red scores will fail and will be allowed one re-test. Tier 2 players will fail if they receive six or more red scores.

Players who pass the assessment will be tested again after approximately six months, with the PCB expecting measurable improvement from their initial baseline.

Those who fail the assessment will be required to retake the entire fitness evaluation rather than only the tests they did not pass.

The PCB said its approved strength and conditioning coaches will conduct the fitness assessments at all levels, with results submitted to the National Cricket Academy and the board’s Medical and Sports Science Department.