New Delhi: Pakistan’s poor T20 World Cup campaign has led to vehement criticism and a fierce backlash from the officials and fans. Now, a recent report has made things even more dicey as the team makes their long journey back home after a horrendous WC campaign. According to the report apart from the usual 34-member squad, Pakistani players had somewhere around 26 to 28 family members.
These included wives, children, parents and siblings. The report especially targeted players like Babar, Rauf, Shadab, Fakhar Zaman and Amir. Now, although the extra expenses of the rooms were incurred by the players the question here is not about money. Rather it is about the commitment that these players have towards the national side.
Only Babar Azam can play this type of shots.
Virat Kohli can only dream.#BabarAzam | #ViratKohli | #INDvsBAN | #T20WorldCup #ENGvSA pic.twitter.com/l24Ybpvyfq— MALIK (@MALIK152_0) June 21, 2024
Former Pakistani test wicketkeeper Atiq uz Zaman has also criticised the decision of PCB to allow family members for such a major tournament. According to Zaman, families could be allowed for some bilateral series or some small tournament. But in such a major tournament, the players need to be fully focused and in their ‘zone’. During such a major tournament, most of the preparations depend on the mindset and mentality of the players rather than the on-field preparations.
Salman Butt’s reply to Babar haters#BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/q2JSpVvrc2
— Tehreem (@its_tehreem0) June 21, 2024
PCB Gags critical voices!
To make matters worse, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will also attempt to gag any critical voice or report that questions the ‘integrity‘ of both the board and that of the players. This law modelled on the Punjab region of Pakistan will make the PCB and the players more opaque. It will also provide a safe passage to the stakeholders as they become senile with prudent impunity.
Legendary Commentaries on Babar Azam.
A Thread 🧵:#BabarAzam | #BabarAzam𓃵 pic.twitter.com/1CwsPJ4sEm
— Salman 🇵🇰 (@SalmanAsif2007) June 22, 2024
According to the law, the entire digital sphere and online platforms will be monitored and regulated for any insinuating instances directed towards the national team. If there is any post that was found “misleading” by the board, the person who makes such a brash comment will be asked to “prove” the same.
MUCH NEEDED .#BabarAzam𓃵 #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/1rjGfTt3b7
— Mary Marouf (@Cricket_istic) June 21, 2024
As Pakistan Cricket looks at the blackhole that is lurking ahead, this decision adds fuel to the fire which is stoked by an iron hand. With the slippery stairs that have crept between two poles of truth and lies, PCB and the players need to address the elephant in the room rather than carry out this forced ‘purification’ of opinionated voices.