“Players have taken ownership of their fitness levels”

Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq has said that he is not worried about the team’s fitness as the Azhar XI get ready to face England in the final Test in Southampton starting on Friday.

According to the details, the head coach in his recent statement said “Fitness has been an important part of our strategy as a team since I took on the role of head coach last September and we have seen the benefits in the two Tests so far,”

“The players have taken ownership of their fitness levels and they should be given credit for that, especially after three months at home during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

“They know having supreme fitness will help them to perform under pressure.”

“Mohammad Rizwan is a great example of that (fitness) in the way he ran between the wickets and batted with the tail,” said Misbah.

“Shan Masood also showed it in the first Test, batting for almost eight hours, and running really well with Shadab Khan. The way they stole quick singles is something that you don´t see much in Test cricket and certainly not from a Pakistan team.”

“It is always a special moment to celebrate Independence Day during a Test match and Pakistan has some great memories from previous such occasions in England: our first-ever Test win in England in 1954 came just after Independence Day, as did the famous win at Lord´s in 1982 and, from a personal point of view, our victory at the Oval in 2016 when we levelled the series on 14 August itself,” added Misbah.

Misbah furthermore added that “Hopefully we can deliver a late gift to the nation in the final Test and announce another Independence Day! Or, as coach, I can just announce that this is the month of Independence.”