DUBAI : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is focused on improving the fitness of its cricketers and Pakistani-American doctors are ready to assist the board in this task.
In an interview with Geo News, Dr Kashif Ansari, who is associated with the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi, said cricketers need to realize that they cannot take their fitness issues to the ground.
“It is because of this that players fall victim to serious injuries after one or two games,” said Dr Ansari, who works as an oncologist and hematologist in Houston, Texas.
He gave three recommendations to the PCB for improving players’ fitness.
“First, a fitness model, similar to what is being used in the US in different sports including basketball, football, and soccer,” he said.
“Secondly, doctors and fitness trainers who are affiliated with US and Canadian teams should be brought together in a group and so that our players can seek their help on a one-on-one basis.
“Third, dieticians and nutritionists should help our players with their diet and sleeping schedules,” he added, offering free-of-cost services of US doctors and emphasizing the need to educate players about fitness.
Talking about Zalmi’s performance so far, Dr Ansari said Javed Afridi has provided the best platform for budding cricketers by bringing legends like Younus Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq and Zaheer Abbas together.
