‘Players to face 25% cut for failing tests’
Unfit national team members’ contracts will be slashed, says NCA head coach.
KARACHI:
National Cricket Academy (NCA) head coach Muhammad Akram has sent out a strong message to the centrally-contracted players, stating that those who fail to maintain the required fitness level will suffer a 25% deduction in their salaries.
The former Test fast-bowler spoke after testing the NCA players over a two-day period. He said that the results will be processed over a seven-to-eight-day span as there were 17 components to analyse including agility, strength and endurance among others.
Akram revealed that all the tests were monitored with three cameras in order to obtain conclusive results and avoid unfairness.
“Any player who fails to maintain the required fitness level is set to get a 25% deduction for four months from now on,” said Akram while speaking to the media in Lahore.
“If they match the benchmark again in the next four months, their previous pay will be restored. Similarly, any player who will reach level four will receive a 10% raise in their current contract for the following four months.”
Among twenty-nine players who took part in the fitness tests, Sohail Tanvir was the only one without a central contract while Wahab Riaz, Nasir Jamshed and Shahid Afridi were absent due to varying reasons.
“Wahab’s daughter is seriously ill, Afridi is in the UK for his charity dinner and Jamshed recently got married; therefore, their tests will be conducted later this month,” he added.
The head coach also lauded senior players – captain Misbahul Haq and Younus Khan – for being trend-setters for the youngsters and leading from the front.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2014.
National Cricket Academy (NCA) head coach Muhammad Akram has sent out a strong message to the centrally-contracted players, stating that those who fail to maintain the required fitness level will suffer a 25% deduction in their salaries.
The former Test fast-bowler spoke after testing the NCA players over a two-day period. He said that the results will be processed over a seven-to-eight-day span as there were 17 components to analyse including agility, strength and endurance among others.
Akram revealed that all the tests were monitored with three cameras in order to obtain conclusive results and avoid unfairness.
“Any player who fails to maintain the required fitness level is set to get a 25% deduction for four months from now on,” said Akram while speaking to the media in Lahore.
“If they match the benchmark again in the next four months, their previous pay will be restored. Similarly, any player who will reach level four will receive a 10% raise in their current contract for the following four months.”
Among twenty-nine players who took part in the fitness tests, Sohail Tanvir was the only one without a central contract while Wahab Riaz, Nasir Jamshed and Shahid Afridi were absent due to varying reasons.
“Wahab’s daughter is seriously ill, Afridi is in the UK for his charity dinner and Jamshed recently got married; therefore, their tests will be conducted later this month,” he added.
The head coach also lauded senior players – captain Misbahul Haq and Younus Khan – for being trend-setters for the youngsters and leading from the front.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2014.