LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will be conducting fitness tests for the first time ever in 104 districts across the 16 regions in the country, the PCB said on Monday, weeks after the national side’s humiliating exit from the Twenty20 World Cup.
The 2009 champions crashed out of the World Cup on June 15 after the USA-Ireland match was abandoned because of rain. It was the earliest-ever elimination from a T20 World Cup for Pakistan. They suffered a shock defeat to first-timers USA before losing to arch-rivals India. Pakistan’s only win was against Canada.
Throughout the tournament, the team was dogged by allegations of internal discord and that some players were in the squad because of favoritism and not merit. A week later, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi said players would now be selected only on the basis of fitness and performance in domestic cricket.
“Over 2,300 players are appearing in the ongoing countrywide fitness tests. These tests are being conducted as per the Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi’s vision for incorporating a culture of fitness at grassroots level,” the PCB said in a statement.
In order to assemble squads for the Regional Inter District Senior Tournament 2024-25, 23 players in each district have been shortlisted after the Challenge Cup that took place in April and May. These 23 players in each district are undergoing strenuous fitness and strength testing under the respective district and regional coaches and trainers, according to the PCB.
The players, after passing the fitness test, will be summoned for a 45-day camp in their respective districts leading to the Inter District Senior Tournament in September.
“The PCB has decided to conduct fitness tests at the district level instead of the regional level starting from this domestic season,” said Abdullah Khurram Niazi, a PCB director for domestic cricket operations.
“This initiative will surely push the players to prioritize their fitness right from the start and the culture will then expand to other domestic competitions. With more fitter players participating in the tournaments, the quality of cricket will also increase.”

ISLAMABAD: A provincial governor has said Pakistan was looking into a plan to connect the city of Rawalpindi with Uzbekistan through a railway link, potentially expanding the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Central Asia, state-run APP reported on Monday. 

Pakistan wants to enhance its role as a pivotal trade and transit hub connecting the landlocked Central Asian countries with the world, leveraging its strategic geographical position. In recent weeks, there has been a flurry of visits, investment talks and economic activity between Pakistan and Central Asian states. 

Last month, the Pakistani Ministry of Commerce and Trade Development Authority organized the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Logistics Forum in Tashkent, where officials agreed to set up a joint chamber of commerce and enhance direct flights. In May, Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov visited Pakistan for talks on bilateral trade and regional connectivity. The Pakistani PM also visited Tajikistan and Kazakhstan last week. 

CPEC, under which Beijing has pledged more than $60 billion for infrastructure, energy and other projects in Pakistan, is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s modern-day revival of the ancient Silk Road which aims to connect Asia, Europe and Africa through more than 60 countries.

“The proposed expansion aims to lay tracks from Rawalpindi to Kohat [Pakistan] and from Kohat to Parachinar [Pakistan], ultimately connecting to Uzbekistan,” the Associated Press of Pakistan reported on Monday, quoting Faisal Karim Kundi, the governor of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

“The governor expressed optimism that this initiative would significantly benefit both regions, enhancing economic ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.”

Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled a grand plan for Central Asia’s development, from building infrastructure to boosting trade, taking on a new leadership role in a region that has traditionally been a Russian sphere of influence. 

The five former Soviet republics, with a network of trade corridors, offer China alternative routes to transport fuel, food and other commodities in the event of disruptions elsewhere.

Pakistan says the CPEC project is open to all interested regional stakeholders, among whom Central Asia is one of the most important in geopolitical terms. 

Located in a landlocked but resource-rich region, Central Asian countries need better access to regional markets including Pakistan, China, India, and the countries of West Asia. Meanwhile, Pakistan and China have huge energy demands that can be satisfied by growing trade with Central Asia. CPEC also presents a strategic opportunity for Central Asian states to transport their goods more easily in regional and global markets.