manzoor.syed
Debutant
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2017
- Runs
- 39
I recently heard from a close source in NZ Cricket who described the Pakistan team’s approach as “careless and lacking situational awareness.”
We often hear these criticisms after a Pakistan loss, but this was before the first ODI in Napier even began.
We all know the current Pakistan team is miles behind other top sides in all aspects—whether it’s planning, execution, or adapting to match situations. But it’s still hard to believe that a group of international cricketers and team management could be this incompetent.
The Napier ground staff, along with the NZ Cricket Board, had sent multiple communications to both the Pakistan and New Zealand teams regarding their scheduled training sessions well in advance of the first game.
On the eve of the first ODI, Pakistan was scheduled to train at the ground from 12 PM to 3 PM local time, while New Zealand was scheduled from 3 PM to 6 PM.
The Pakistan team never showed up at 12 PM and instead arrived at 3:20 PM, expecting to train. The ground staff informed them that their time was over and that the NZ team was now using the facilities. Some of the Pakistan players began arguing—despite not understanding a word of English—until the staff showed them the email confirmation sent to PCB management, which clearly outlined the timings.
You can’t even show up on time, and then you have the audacity to argue? How clueless are these players and the management? What are they even doing on this tour? This is not Gaddafi Stadium, where they can just turn up whenever they please. They are touring abroad—the least they could do is respect the people who help organize the matches, especially when they are 100% at fault. And no, fasting in Ramadan is not an excuse for this behavior.
Professionalism demands proactive communication, ensuring that messages reach the players and that they conduct themselves properly at all times.
Despite this blunder, the ground staff still accommodated Pakistan by allowing them to train in the indoor facilities while the NZ team trained outside.
However, even inside the facility, Pakistan players showed a lack of basic awareness. There were clear signs stating: “Do not hit the ball against the wooden slabs.” Either these players cannot read and comprehend basic English or they are simply too ignorant to care—because they repeatedly ignored the signs and continued hitting cover drives against the slabs.
The ground staff had to intervene and remind them that they were free to hit the ball as hard as they wanted inside the designated indoor nets, which had proper protection. Some of the players still did not understand until Mohammed Yousuf translated and then decided to have a 15 minute net session himself.
Is this level of stupidity acceptable from an international team? As a Kiwi-Pakistani, I can confidently say: I will never follow any Pakistan game that does not involve NZ. This level of incompetence is beyond embarrassing on a global stage.
We often hear these criticisms after a Pakistan loss, but this was before the first ODI in Napier even began.
We all know the current Pakistan team is miles behind other top sides in all aspects—whether it’s planning, execution, or adapting to match situations. But it’s still hard to believe that a group of international cricketers and team management could be this incompetent.
The Napier ground staff, along with the NZ Cricket Board, had sent multiple communications to both the Pakistan and New Zealand teams regarding their scheduled training sessions well in advance of the first game.
On the eve of the first ODI, Pakistan was scheduled to train at the ground from 12 PM to 3 PM local time, while New Zealand was scheduled from 3 PM to 6 PM.
The Pakistan team never showed up at 12 PM and instead arrived at 3:20 PM, expecting to train. The ground staff informed them that their time was over and that the NZ team was now using the facilities. Some of the Pakistan players began arguing—despite not understanding a word of English—until the staff showed them the email confirmation sent to PCB management, which clearly outlined the timings.
You can’t even show up on time, and then you have the audacity to argue? How clueless are these players and the management? What are they even doing on this tour? This is not Gaddafi Stadium, where they can just turn up whenever they please. They are touring abroad—the least they could do is respect the people who help organize the matches, especially when they are 100% at fault. And no, fasting in Ramadan is not an excuse for this behavior.
Professionalism demands proactive communication, ensuring that messages reach the players and that they conduct themselves properly at all times.
Despite this blunder, the ground staff still accommodated Pakistan by allowing them to train in the indoor facilities while the NZ team trained outside.
However, even inside the facility, Pakistan players showed a lack of basic awareness. There were clear signs stating: “Do not hit the ball against the wooden slabs.” Either these players cannot read and comprehend basic English or they are simply too ignorant to care—because they repeatedly ignored the signs and continued hitting cover drives against the slabs.
The ground staff had to intervene and remind them that they were free to hit the ball as hard as they wanted inside the designated indoor nets, which had proper protection. Some of the players still did not understand until Mohammed Yousuf translated and then decided to have a 15 minute net session himself.
Is this level of stupidity acceptable from an international team? As a Kiwi-Pakistani, I can confidently say: I will never follow any Pakistan game that does not involve NZ. This level of incompetence is beyond embarrassing on a global stage.
