Strenuous fitness regime for Pakistan cricketers

Pakistan coach Richard Pybus wants his players to concentrate on their fitness even during the off days.

Immediately after Pakistan defeated Bangladesh in the Asian Test Championship match inside three days, Pybus slipped a training schedule inside every players' room.

The schedule, which each player has to be followed until Sept 6 when the training camp resumes, included a foot note which said: "Train hard and very well played in this (ATC) match. Its going to be tough against New Zealand. So lets start getting ready for them now."

Pakistan players are notoriously known for lack of international standard fitness and known to aoid training sessions. But having done two assignments previously, Pybus knows what are the deficiencies in the boys and how to rectify them.

According to the schedule prepared by Pybus, on Sept 1 all the boys were supposed to do at least 30 shuttles in three minutes between the 20m mark. According to standards set by Pybus, each player should do around 32-36 shuttles.

Pybus had instructed `squats' - strength exercies - for the boys on Sept 2. The boys are to carry 50kg weights on both their shoulders and slowly do squats. After that, the boys have to do 50 sit ups, bench press and press ups three times a day.

On Sept 3, the boys have been instructed to run or cycle for 30-40 minutes at an even pace. The boys have been advised to repeat Sept 2 routine on Sept 4, take rest on Sept 5 and report fresh on Sept 6 for the camp.