Pakistan cricketers to undergo fitness tests at NCA

Pakistan cricketers will undergo a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy ahead of the Test tours to England and Ireland.

The tests, to be held on April 9 and 10, will be undertaken by the centrally-contracted cricketers. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah, all-rounder Imad Wasim and medium pacer Sohail Khan will not be undergoing the tests due to injuries.

Imad suffered a concussion during fielding in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL), while,  Yasir Shah is facing a hip injury since last week. The nature of his injury will be reviewed and a subsequent decision will be taken regarding his selection.

PSL stars Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sahibzada Farhan have also been invited for the fitness tests. Fawad Alam, who impressed with his batting in the domestic circuit, has also been summoned for the tests.

The probables for the Ireland and England Tests will be announced after the results of the fitness tests. A preparation camp will then be held at the NCA.

Pacer Wahab Riaz may find it difficult to secure a place in the squad. Rahat Ali will be included, reports suggest.

Pakistan will play a lone Test against Ireland and two Tests against England from next month.