Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Pakistan Test skipper Shan Masood says that they have to get their fitness better in order to compete in the red-ball cricket. The comments come as Pakistan lost both the Tests against Bangladesh at home. Pakistan lost the first Test by 10 wickets and the second by six wickets, losing the series 2-0.

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"The harsh realities are that as a Test-playing nation, we need to get fitter. We need to have that mental and physical ability to last five days. And to last a series, which can be 10 to 15 days. So, that's the challenge that we have a month now before England, and once we get to England, it's going to be a really busy season domestically and internationally. So the boys have to pull their socks up and come back with their best," said the skipper after loss in second Test on Tuesday (Sep 3).

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Pakistan, after losing the first Test, dropped Nasim Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi for the second Test and were criticised for the decision.

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"We can't be harsh on them because they're playing all three formats. If Shaheen has played consistently for a year, you can't just throw them in every game. And you have to build up your stocks as well. So we've got a lot to look at," said Masood. 

Masood also acknowledged the team's failure but said that they are 'heading in the right direction.'

"You always learn from your mistakes. And you try and give people a chance. And I think that we're heading in the right direction; we have been consistent with selection. We had Khurram, Muhammad Ali Daisy, and Mir Hamza play this test series. We went, uh, trying to keep consistency with red ball performances as well. We've got Shaheen and Nasim back in the fold as well," said Masood.

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Pakistan next face England in a home Test series.