The Pakistan cricket team has continued to suffer criticism for its poor T20 World Cup performance in the United States. Players are under fire not only for their skills but also for bringing their families along with them to the event. The choice to go with family members has caused criticism from both fans and officials.
According to a PTI report, Pakistan’s cricket board is also considering introducing a new defamation law to fight what it calls “unsubstantiated claims and reports” against its players and team management.
Pakistan Team and Family Members at T20 WC
Almost 34 players, support personnel, and officials comprised the national squad in America. The team hotel also consisted of around 26 to 28 family members of the players. It includes wives, children, parents, and siblings.
Well, Pakistan was eliminated in the group league stage after losing to India and debutants USA in New York. Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, and Muhammad Amir all traveled with family members.
Notably, Babar Azam, who is single, had his father, mother, and brothers stay at the team hotel. The additional costs associated with having families are clearly paid by the players. But having family members around do draw their attention.
Muhammad Amir traveled to the World Cup with his trainer at his own expense. Even though the squad already had a foreign trainer, physical training coach, physiotherapist, and specialist. However, Amir trained separately from the rest of the group during training sessions after getting board approval.
Pakistan Players Face Harsh Criticism
According to reports in the media, around 60 rooms were reserved where the squad stayed to accommodate family members. “The environment was a highly interpersonal one. With eating out dinners and getaways being routine for some players,” a report exposed.
Former Test wicketkeeper Atiq uz Zaman said he understood the players’ desire to accompany their families on low-profile or bilateral trips.
However, for a significant event like the World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board should not have permitted such a gathering.
“In a World Cup, not any families should have been accepted since the players needed to concentrate on their game. “When you have families with you, a player’s attention and time are diverted from cricket,” Zaman explained.
Legal Actions and Defamation Law
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The Pakistan Cricket Board is considering legal action under a new defamation law enacted by the Punjab government. This act will be used to prosecute the internet or mainstream media that infer corruption or make personal assaults on Pakistani players without evidence.
The Punjab assembly recently executed an act aimed at digital media and defamation. Under this rule, any digital journalist or media personality who makes baseless charges or personal assaults on a public figure. This potentially stirring public outrage may face significant penalties and jail time if proven guilty. Yes, the law statute also requires that final decisions be made within six months, preventing disputes from dragging on.
This decision comes after a YouTuber accused skipper Babar Azam of accepting a costly automobile as a gift. The PCB’s legal staff has already begun posting possible notifications under the new defamation act to address such accusations.
About the Author
Zartash Zulfiqar is a passionate cricket writer whose love for cricket shines through in every word. From match analyses to player profiles, she delivers insightful commentary that resonates with fans worldwide. Stay tuned for the latest from the world of cricket, brought to you by Zartash.
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