Akram slams Pak team's poor fitness levels

Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram has voiced his concerns about the national team's fitness levels, which he believes are a significant factor behind their subpar performances in major tournaments and series.

In a recent appearance on a popular web show, Akram, widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, spoke candidly about the issue, highlighting that the problem has been apparent for several years.

"I haven't talked much about this yet, and I don't have any inside news, but I knew about it two years ago—cricketers aren't focusing enough on their fitness," Akram said.

Reflecting on the team's recent 2024 T20 World Cup performance, the former pacer pointed out that the players' fitness was visibly lacking compared to their international counterparts.

"Now, during the World Cup, the whole world saw just how good the fitness of our cricket team truly was," he said.

Akram also drew a comparison between the current era and his own playing days, noting the advancements in fitness knowledge.

"If I was playing cricket today, I'd have a lot of knowledge about fitness, as it's now common," he explained.

"During the time we played cricket, information about fitness wasn't common. We didn't know much, so we simply followed our seniors like Imran Khan and Javed Miandad. Whatever they did, we did exactly the same," he concluded.

It is worth noting that Pakistan and Bangladesh are set to clash in a two-match Test series, which is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025 cycle. This series holds significant value for both teams as they aim to secure crucial points in the championship race.

The first Test will take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium starting August 21, followed by the second Test at the National Stadium in Karachi on August 30.