Sharjeel's selection after he performed well in the recent Pakistan Super League 6 matches has been questioned by some former players and critics who believe his fitness is not up to the level required to play international cricket. (FILE) Pakistan opener Sharjeel Khan has been told that his place in the playing eleven will depend on whether he can show some improvement in his fitness by April 9, a day before the T20 series begins in South Africa.
Sharjeel, who was picked in the Pakistan T20 squad for the four games in South Africa and another three in Zimbabwe, has also been told he will not play the intra-squad matches in Lahore before the team’s departure for Johannesburg on 28th March.
“Sharjeel has been given a personal trainer and batting coach, Younis Khan himself. Fitness freak has been put in charge of his overall training in a bid to improve the opener’s fitness before the T20 series in South Africa,” a source aware of the developments said on Monday.
Sharjeel’s selection after he performed well in the recent Pakistan Super League 6 matches has been questioned by some former players and critics who believe his fitness is not up to the level required to play international cricket.
Sharjeel, who completed a two and a half year ban for spot-fixing before resuming his career last year, was seen doing laps and working hard on his fitness under the supervision of Younis and the trainer at the Gaddafi stadium on Monday.
A former Test batsman, who is close to the national selection committee, however, voiced his concern over the deadline set for Sharjeel.
“I am hearing he has been told to shed at least 10 kilograms weight by the deadline if this is true they don’t realize losing weight means it will also affect his batting as batting also requires a lot of endurance, stamina and muscle power,” the player said.
He felt that instead of setting deadlines the team management should work on improving Sharjeel’s fitness slowly so that he doesn’t lose strength, stamina etc.
Chief selector, Muhammad Wasim had made it clear recently that Sharjeel was picked on the call of captain, Babar Azam and head coach, Misbah ul Haq, who felt he was an impact player in the T20 format and they could improve his fitness if he stayed with the squad.
During his last virtual press conference, Babar confirmed what Wasim had said and added that while Sharjeel was a bit on the healthy side but he would not be a liability on the field.
Many see Sharjeel as a key impact player as Pakistan start preparing for the World T20 Cup to be held in India in October.
Hasan returns two negative tests for COVID-19, will join camp on Tuesday
Hasan Ali is said to have tested positive after attending a small get together at which Islamabad United players were present, including Australian leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed. (FILE)
Fast bowler Hasan Ali has returned two negative tests after initially testing positive for COVID-19 and will join the Pakistan training camp from Tuesday ahead of their tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The PCB has carried out a relentless schedule of COVID-19 tests on all the players and officials selected to travel to South Africa and Zimbabwe and only Hasan had tested positive in the initial tests.
The pacer had apparently also tested positive a day before the Pakistan Super League 6 was postponed earlier this month in Karachi due to rising cases of the infection among the franchise players and officials and even board employees.
Hasan is said to have tested positive after attending a small get together at which Islamabad United players were present, including Australian leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed.
Fawad had returned a positive test during the league and was only allowed to return home after completing a quarantine period at the hotel.
Hasan and Fawad are part of the Islamabad United outfit in the PSL which is set to resume in June.