Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has dropped his views on the Pakistan National Cricket Team cancelling their press conference ahead of the much-anticipated clash against archrivals India on Sunday. This is the second time the two teams will go head-to-head in this Asia Cup.
The Salman Agha-led side has been under immense pressure and has been constantly facing the media grind. However, after their humiliating defeat against India, they have kept a low profile and have mostly avoided media appearances. They had also cancelled the press conference before the game against the UAE.
Sunil Gavaskar opens up on his views on Pakistan avoiding the press ahead of the anticipated India clash
Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has recently taken a dig at the Pakistan National Cricket Team after they decided to cancel their press conference without citing any proper reasons for the cancellation.
“I don’t know what the thinking behind that is, but as far as I know, press conferences are mandatory. If teams don’t hold them, I’m not sure what the penalties are—if any—but in today’s world, it’s important for the media to be involved and kept informed.”
“It’s still essential to maintain open communication with the media. Instead of relying on ‘sources’ or speculation, it’s always better for teams to convey their point of view directly. Perhaps Pakistan feel they have nothing to share, which, frankly, isn’t surprising,” Gavaskar told India Today.
“A point could be deducted from their table,” Sunil Gavaskar points out the consequences for Pakistan
Sunil Gavaskar further went on to suggest that the Asian Cricket Council, the body that conducts the Asia Cup matches, might go on to deduct the team’s points for not appearing in the press conference.
“Yes, Mohsin Naqvi is the head of the ACC, but there is an organisation under him that includes India, Sri Lanka, and other participating and non-participating member nations — that collectively forms the Asian Cricket Council,” he added to the above-mentioned source.
“As far as I know, there’s a governing committee within the ACC for tournaments like this, and they’ll likely want to understand what’s going on.”
“If there is something in the rulebook stating that attending press conferences is mandatory, then perhaps going forward, if a team fails to comply, a point could be deducted from their table. That might be a viable way forward,” Sunil Gavaskar warns the Pakistan team.
PCB hired a sports psychologist to boost the morale of their players
The Pakistan Cricket team is undoubtedly under immense stress in recent times; unlike other teams, their stress has not only been their performance on the field, but they also have to bear the consequences of the actions of their government.
Under such situations and the huge controversy that stirred up after India’s snub of a handshake with Pakistan players, the PCB has appointed a Sports Psychologist, Dr Raheel Kareem, to boost the team’s morale ahead of the vital Asia Cup clash.
Pakistan will have to overcome their crushing defeat against India in the group-stage games and will have to eye the top two spots in the Super-4 table in order to feature in the finals of the continental championship.