Afridi skips PCB’s four-day fitness test

Pakistan’s flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi and senior batsman Muhammad Hafeez have decided to skip a four-day fitness test ordered by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for all its centrally-contracted players.

Even though the new selection committee headed by Inzamam-ul-Haq had ignored Afridi, opener Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal for the month-long training camp being set up in Abbotabad for the tour to England, all three were directed to appear for the fitness tests.

Hafeez, whose appearance in the camp was subject to fitness was told to take the fitness tests which began in Lahore on Sunday. 

But Afridi tweeted about his non-availability for the tests. “I have told @TheRealPCB that I won’t be available for fitness test due to knee niggle,” tweeted Afridi.

Afridi said he is recuperating to be fit to represent English County side Hampshire and join them for their domestic T20 event. “I am keen to play for Hampshire and I want to regain fitness before joining them,” he said.

Hafeez also said he had informed the board about his unavailability for the fitness tests. He couldn’t take the tests since he was yet to recover completely from injuries in his knee muscle.