Pakistan’s disastrous T20 World Cup campaign in the US has likely triggered a backlash against the players, who are being criticized for taking their families along, even as their beleaguered cricket board mulled invoking a new defamation law to deal with “allegations and unfounded reports”. According to local media reports, in addition to the nearly 34 players, support staff and officials who were part of the US national team, the team hotel was packed with around 26 to 28 family members of the players.
These included their wives, children, parents and even siblings in some cases. Pakistan were eliminated after losing to India and newcomers USA in the group stage matches held in New York.
The report said that players such as Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman and Muhammad Amir were among those who had family members traveling with them.
Babar, who is not married, was with his father, mother and siblings staying at the team hotel.
“The extra expenses incurred to have families are obviously paid by the players, but having family around takes away the focus of the players,” another report said.
“Around 60 rooms were reserved where the team stayed to accommodate the other people traveling with the team. The atmosphere was family-friendly, with takeout dinners and outings being the norm for some players,” one report said.
Former Test wicketkeeper Atiq uz Zaman said he understands the need for players to have their families with them on low-key or bilateral trips.
But for a big event like the World Cup, the PCB should not have allowed such a gathering.
“In a World Cup, no families should have been allowed as players needed to focus on cricket. When you have families with you, a player’s attention and time are diverted from cricket,” Zaman said.
Amir also took his personal trainer to the World Cup at his own expense, despite the team having a foreign coach, fitness coach, physiotherapist and doctor.
One report said that during training the left arm pacemaker trained away from the others, having obtained permission from the board to do so.
PCB mulls legal action against unverified reports
The Pakistan Cricket Board will use a new defamation law from the Punjab government to go after digital media or mainstream media that insinuate corruption on the part of Pakistani players during the World Cup or make very personal comments about them.
A reliable PCB source said the Board’s legal department has already started working on possible notices under the new defamation law.
“These people will be asked to prove their allegations or face action under the new defamation law,” he said.
The Punjab assembly recently passed the bill relating to digital media and defamation laws, under which any digital journalist or media personality who makes baseless allegations or personal attacks on a public figure that puts him or her at risk of public backlash can face a heavy fine and also a prison sentence. if found guilty.
The law also states that the decision must be made within six months and cases must not take long.
This happened after Captain Babar Azam was accused of accepting an expensive car as a gift from the YouTuber.
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