Central contracts, match fees will be affected if Pak players not 'fit': Mohammad Akram

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Akram has revealed that Pakistani players' central contracts and match fees would be affected if they are not 'fit' enough, as he wrapped up a month-long boot camp with the team.

Akram, who took charge of a boot camp last week, said that Pakistan was aiming to rectify its fitness situation in time for next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

According to The Dawn, Akram said that they do not have a fitness culture in Pakistan and they have no cricket schools like in England, Australia and South Africa, so it was in his mind, even in his playing days, that such camps are always helpful.

Akram said that Pakistan ad been studying the 17 components of fitness training used by other international teams, adding that fitness tests would be held every four months which would affect the players' central contracts and match fees if they are not achieving their targets.

Akram said that they are giving the players nutrition plans because they have reverted to unhealthy diets after such camps that have been organised earlier in the country.

Moreover, Akram added that if one looks at the chart, they do not want to see overweight or underweight, they just want to see that the players are taking care of their diet and are fit.