Sport | Cricket
Indian board seeks fitness reports from IPL physios
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked the physiotherapists of all the eight Indian Premier League (IPL) teams to submit their fitness reports, based on which the team for tri-series in Bangladesh and Asia Cup in Pakistan will be selected in Mumbai, today.
- Agencies
- Published: 00:04 May 30, 2008
New Delhi, Karachi: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked the physiotherapists of all the eight Indian Premier League (IPL) teams to submit their fitness reports, based on which the team for tri-series in Bangladesh and Asia Cup in Pakistan will be selected in Mumbai, today.
BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said the final decision will be taken on the basis of the fitness reports.
"We have asked all the physios of all the eight IPL franchises to submit their reports on the Indian players . Then only we will take a decision on the teams for the both the series," Shah told IANS yesterday, on the eve of the selection meeting.
He also denied reports that the Dilip Vengsarkar-headed selection committee has been instructed pick a young team for the series in Bangladesh (June 8-14) and Pakistan (June 24-July 6).
Shah said the BCCI will also finalise its physiotherapist today during the selection committee meeting, but said they would not appoint a permanent physio immediately.
"We want to assess the new candidate before giving him a long-term contract," Shah said.
The national team has been without a permanent physio since John Gloster resigned after the Australia series in March this year.
Meanwhile, with the IPL taking Twenty20 cricket's popularity to dizzying heights, Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi foresees a bleak future for Tests as the five-day format would struggle to find favour among fans seeking instant entertainment.
Grand success
Afridi, who returned home after a lacklustre outing with the Hyderabad Deccan Chargers in the IPL, said the league had been a grand success and the support and interest of the people had left him amazed.
"Even though our team performed badly but still in our final game there was a big crowd out to support us and this shows the interest the IPL has created," he said.
"I can't say if 50-overs cricket would be affected by the popularity of twenty20 but certainly Test matches would be hit hard as people are more interested in seeing instant and exciting cricket," he added.
The flamboyant all-rounder, who came a cropper with the willow in the IPL, admitted that he has been ignoring his batting for bowling.
"I am l looking forward to playing in the tri-series in Bangladesh against India it will be a good opportunity to make amends," he stated.
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