Criticism Hits Pakistan Cricket Team For Bringing Families To T20 World Cup 2024

Lahore, June 21 (PTI): Pakistan's disappointing T20 World Cup campaign in the USA has led to significant criticism of the players, particularly for bringing their families along. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now considering invoking a new defamation law to address "unsubstantiated claims and reports".

According to local media, besides the nearly 34 players, support staff, and officials who were part of the national squad in the USA, around 26 to 28 family members of the players were also present at the team hotel. These included wives, children, parents, and siblings. Pakistan was eliminated after losing to India and debutants USA in their group league stage matches held in New York.

Players like Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, and Muhammad Amir had family members travelling with them. Babar Azam, who is not married, had his father, mother, and brothers staying in the team hotel.

"The extra expenses incurred on having families are obviously paid by players but having family members around does hit the focus of the players," another report stated. "Some 60 rooms were booked where the team stayed to accommodate the other people travelling with the team. The environment was a family one with take-away dinners and outings being the norm for some players," it added.

Former Test wicketkeeper Atiq uz Zaman expressed understanding for players' need to have their families with them on low-profile or bilateral tours. However, he believed that for a major 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 the players needed to focus on their cricket. When you have families with you then a player's attention and time is diverted from cricket," Zaman said.

Amir had also taken his personal trainer to the World Cup at his own expense despite the team having a foreign trainer, strength conditioning coach, physiotherapist, and doctor. One report mentioned that during training sessions, Amir trained separately from others after obtaining permission from the board.

The Pakistan Cricket Board plans to use a new defamation law by the Punjab government to pursue legal action against digital or mainstream media making allegations of corruption by Pakistani players during the World Cup or making very personal remarks about them.

A reliable source within the PCB indicated that the Board's legal department has already started working on possible notices under this 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 a bill related to digital media and defamation laws. Under this law, any digital journalist or media personality making unsubstantiated allegations or personal attacks on a public figure that put them in danger of public backlash can face a heavy fine and potential jail time if found guilty.

The law also stipulates that decisions must be made within six months and cases should not linger. This development follows accusations against skipper Babar Azam of accepting an expensive car as a gift from a YouTuber.