Malik set to get central contract

Regular players undergo fitness test in Lahore.

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik looks set to be part of the centrally contracted players list after taking part in the fitness tests held under the supervision of coach Dav Whatmore held at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

The tests were conducted on Pakistan’s regular players after the Pakistan Cricket Board decided to check the players’ fitness before handing them new contracts.

Afridi, who lost his contract last year after announcing his conditional retirement from the international cricket, was also present in Lahore while Malik, who was snubbed by the selectors for the Asia Cup squad, was also absent from the list that was announced last August.

Meanwhile, players, including captain Misbahul Haq appeared for the test where they were asked to perform different exercises to display their stamina.  Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Akmal missed the trial due to various reasons.

The PCB is yet to announce this year’s contracts, which was delayed after the change in the selection panel following the series against England in the UAE.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2012.