Bangladesh Cricketers Fall Short in Fitness Test Ahead of Key Series

While Nahid Rana impressed in the fitness training, few other cricketers failed to live up to the expectations in the 1600-meter running at the National Stadium on Sunday.

Earlier, players' fitness was monitored by the Yo-Yo or beep tests. However, since the arrival of the new strength and conditioning coach, Nathan Keily, the team management has opted for the 1600-meter run and the 40-meter sprint to test the fitness of players.

It was learnt pacer Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed along with Tanvir Islam and Shamim Patowary took nearly eight minutes to complete the 1600-meter run. Rana, on the other hand, was the best among the 22 cricketers who took part in the fitness test, completing the 1600-meter run in just 5 minutes and 31 seconds.

"Rana was just outstanding," a member of the team management told Cricbuzz on Sunday. "Few others also did well, but at the same time there were couple of cricketers who could not meet our expectations."

A fitness camp is currently underway before starting skill training for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Netherlands home followed by the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates,.

Mehedi Hasan Miraz finished second in the first batch, completing the run in 6 minutes and 1 second while Mushfiqur Rahim, who has retired from One Day Internationals and T20s, completed the 1600 meters in 6 minutes and 10 seconds, finishing third.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib finished the 1600 meters in 5 minutes and 53 seconds in the second group comprising 15 cricketers. Following him was Shahadat Hossain Dipu, who completed it in 6 minutes, and Parvez Hossain Emon came third with 6 minutes and 13 seconds.

Six cricketers from the 25-member preliminary camp missed the fitness test, which includes T20 captain Liton Kumar Das and Towhid Hridoy. Four other cricketers who are part of the 'A' team tour of Australia - Nurul Hasan Sohan, Saif Hasan, Afif Hossain, and Mahidul Islam Ankon - also missed the test.

Following the fitness camp, the players will move to Sylhet on August 20 for the skill training camp.