Zahid Mahmood out of Zimbabwe T20Is due to fear of flying

[Major]

PCB has confirmed to PakPassion.net that they wanted to send Zahid Mahmood, who had originally been picked for the Zimbabwe Test series, early as a replacement for Shadab Khan. But he informed the board officials that he had never travelled abroad and could not go to Zimbabwe alone due to his fear of travelling alone by air.

At the request of the spinner, the board has now decided to send him to Zimbabwe along with the rest of the Test squad.

Zahid will leave for Harare on April 21 with the rest of the Test squad.

 

[mazkhan]

Dennis Bergkamp was another one scared of flying

 

[gazza619]

When they say flying alone, does it mean the only player?

Surely he wont be the only passenger on board for that flight?

 

[Technics 1210]

Fear of flying is one thing, but fear of flying alone? There's no risk he's going to end up being lost!

 

[The_KING]

I can relate.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Respect the lad’s wishes I say. Frankly it would’ve made more sense to cut the camp short this week and had players practise the rest of the week in Zimbabwe that way Zahid would’ve been part of the squad.

 

[Hasan123]

Can't the PCB fly him over with someone so he isn't alone? Hopefully it doesn't affect his future selection.

 

[Markhor]

Surely they can send him with somebody else ?

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Fear of flying is a genuine fear. If he is good enough, PCB will have to bring him to the right level in baby steps - with smaller flights, accompanied visits etc.

I don't think Zahid could have managed it better either - the fear can grip you when the time comes near.

 

[Tubs]

A bit strange that it was made public.

But I understand that the current regulations can make someone who is afraid of flying even more anxious.

 

[Major]

A bit strange that it was made public.

But I understand that the current regulations can make someone who is afraid of flying even more anxious.

pcb didnt make it public. PCB covered it by saying that he had a heat stroke.

Someone from the PCB leaked this

 

[Shoaibbtt]

pcb didnt make it public. PCB covered it by saying that he had a heat stroke.

Someone from the PCB leaked this

We all have fears and there is nothing to be ashamed of. I myself, am not keen on dogs and I’m not gonna knock the lad and nor should he be made to feel like a wuss.

 

[Bewal Express]

Much more common than you think, Dennis Bergkamp missed the 2002 Football WC.

 

[liam26]

How is this possible ? Hasn't he travelled in flights even for domestic travel in Pakistan ? By this logic he will not have an International career at all as teams don't travel in buses or trains.

 

[golagunda]

The OP is a bit unclear. Is he afraid of flying or afraid of travelling alone internationally as a first time traveler? The former is a legitimate reason, the latter is not.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

How is this possible ? Hasn't he travelled in flights even for domestic travel in Pakistan ? By this logic he will not have an International career at all as teams don't travel in buses or trains.

It is a very common phobia.

Here's a bunch of ideas for PCB

Spoiler

/jk

 

[Shoaibbtt]

It is a very common phobia.

Here's a bunch of ideas for PCB



/jk

Zahid needs to pity the fool first before he can accomplish this.

 

[hitthestump]

When they say flying alone, does it mean the only player?

Surely he wont be the only passenger on board for that flight?

Geez, someone quickly pass this message onto Zahid.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Had to read that twice to believe it.

 

[Rajdeep]

Fear of flying is a real fear many people have even though air travel is the safest. I remember Kohli also said once in an interview that he had fear of flying and turbulence.

 

[Line and Length]

I knew that heat stroke excuse didn’t add up cause he was playing in the practice match in Lahore a day or two ago. PCB is even incompetent at lying.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I knew that heat stroke excuse didn’t add up cause he was playing in the practice match in Lahore a day or two ago. PCB is even incompetent at lying.

Yep, scratched my head myself about him playing in yesterday’s practise game.

 

[princeuk]

Huh? Ye kya hoya?

Another feather in the cap for PCB and its players.

 

[Technics 1210]

Much more common than you think, Dennis Bergkamp missed the 2002 Football WC.

Fear of flying and anxiety cos of flying are very common indeed. Though I think Dennis Bergkamp had the option to take the train across Europe/UK.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I don't think it's a 'fear' of flying as in a phobia but probably a combination of not having left the country + lack of awareness that mean it is more the fear of the unknown. A plane journey can be quite daunting and I'd imagine he wants some company before undertaking it.

 

[Rafa]

What kind of company he needs ? Was PCB going to bring him on the tour in a single chartered plane ? Where only he and pilot will be flying.

 

[mon858]

Not sure what level this is, but they should consult a physciatrist. My dad used to have this and just taking a Xanax, going with a companion can take care of it. Not sure how he manages PSL , domestic season even.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Not sure what level this is, but they should consult a physciatrist. My dad used to have this and just taking a Xanax, going with a companion can take care of it. Not sure how he manages PSL , domestic season even.

And what about Harris Sohail and his encounter of a ghost he saw in NZ?

 

[Technics 1210]

I don't think it's a 'fear' of flying as in a phobia but probably a combination of not having left the country + lack of awareness that mean it is more the fear of the unknown. A plane journey can be quite daunting and I'd imagine he wants some company before undertaking it.

I would add turbulence to the list too.

 

[Technics 1210]

On another note I would encourage ZM to take the journey; it will help him conquer his fears and build his confidence.

 

[OMB]

It is a common fear.
I know of an Iraqi manager in our company who has fear of flying so he hasn't been to his homeland in what 40 years. Doesn't mind driving for long distances to travel to nearby countries from UAE.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

How is this possible ? Hasn't he travelled in flights even for domestic travel in Pakistan ? By this logic he will not have an International career at all as teams don't travel in buses or trains.

It's a very common fear. Muhammad Ali's (the boxer) phobia of flying is well documented. He almost missed the olympics where he won a gold medal, because of it. He maintained that fear through out the rest of his career and the irony was he was the biggest sports personality in the world and of all time who travelled all around the world. Just a fun fact

 

[Varun]

It's a legit fear. It may curtail his international career so they have to figure something out.

Though I wonder what Zafar Gohar must be thinking.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

It's a legit fear. It may curtail his international career so they have to figure something out.

Though I wonder what Zafar Gohar must be thinking.

Probably scaring him even more to not get on the plane

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

What kind of company he needs ? Was PCB going to bring him on the tour in a single chartered plane ? Where only he and pilot will be flying.

Friends and ppl he knows

 

[shah_1]

According to reports, the PCB wanted to send Zahid, who had originally been picked for Zimbabwe Tests, early as a replacement for Shadab Khan. But he informed the board officials that he had never traveled abroad and could not go to Zimbabwe alone due to his fear of travelling alone by air.

At the request of the spinner, the board has now decided to send him to Zimbabwe along with the Test squad. Zahid Mahmood will leave for Harare on April 21 with the Test squad.

He is going, so I don't understand the title of the thread. It makes no sense [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION]

 

[Shoaibbtt]

He is going, so I don't understand the title of the thread. It makes no sense [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION]

He just didn't want to fly alone, and that's an understandable fear, by the time he arrives in Zimbabwe he won't be able to play the series cause he'll have to stay in quarantine. It's not a big deal, perfect opportunity for Usman to keep trying and Arshad Iqbal to hopefully get a go.

 

[silentkiller187]

The thread is misleading, he is not scared of flying, but he was scared of the idea of being alone in a foreign country without any team mates. My mum cannot speak or read english yet she has flown unaided many times through heathrow , so i cant have much sympathy for a young lad. People mentioning bergkamp he never got on to a plane so its different.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

The thread is misleading, he is not scared of flying, but he was scared of the idea of being alone in a foreign country without any team mates. My mum cannot speak or read english yet she has flown unaided many times through heathrow , so i cant have much sympathy for a young lad. People mentioning bergkamp he never got on to a plane so its different.

Hold the phone, are we talking completely alone or with some training staff? It should only be for a couple of days anyway as t20s begin next week and besides he'll be in quarantine as soon as he lands in Zimbabwe.

 

[MenInG]

He is going, so I don't understand the title of the thread. It makes no sense [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION]

When Shadab got injured, Zahid was named as replacement for him for the T20I series - this is why it says he has been ruled out of the series.

PCB Release as of 7th April as follows:

Wrist spinner Zahid Mahmood has been named as Shadab Khan’s replacement for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, which will be played from 21-25 April in Harare, while Fakhar Zaman will stay with the side for the T20Is in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Zahid was originally named in the two-Test squad against Zimbabwe, while Fakhar was initially named for the ODIs.

Both the changes were approved by the national selection committee on the request of the team management.

 

[asifp]

How is this information leaked

 

[Shoaibbtt]

How is this information leaked

Shameful to air this and make Zahid feel belittled. Not happy with the media on this.

 

[MenInG]

How is this information leaked

PCB have confirmed to PakPassion - where is the leak?

 

[cricketAXEpert]

When they say flying alone, does it mean the only player?

Surely he wont be the only passenger on board for that flight?

It sounds like he has never been out of Country and wants to go with the squad. He is nervous about going thru the immigration and then being in a foreign country (with a different Language and customs) all by himself. When you have never done that in your life it can make you nervous and scared.

Fear of Flying is a different thing, that will not get better even with the squad.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

How he managed to play PSL? Were they travel by train?

 

[WengerOut]

Much more common than you think, Dennis Bergkamp missed the 2002 Football WC.

Whole of Holland missed the WC coz of not qualifying.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

It sounds like he has never been out of Country and wants to go with the squad. He is nervous about going thru the immigration and then being in a foreign country (with a different Language and customs) all by himself. When you have never done that in your life it can make you nervous and scared.

Fear of Flying is a different thing, that will not get better even with the squad.

He's going to Zimbabwe and not North Korea. Nothing to be afraid of, it's only for a couple of days until the guys arrive from South Africa which will probably be this Friday or Saturday as soon as the tour of South Africa finishes. Besides for 3 days you'll have to remain in some sort of quarantine.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

This guy is 33 years old, and he's played close to 50 FC matches going back to 2009. So he must have traveled in Pakistan.

I'm assuming that it isn't fear of flying, but a fear of going alone to a new country. If it's the former, then it's not something easily fixable. But if it's latter (fear of traveling alone), I can't understand it.

Every year people from the poorest sections of society in India and Pakistan fly to the west and Middle East to seek work.

Now I can understand Zahid's anxiety; many have it, but they find a way to overcome it. If they can do it with all their disadvantages, Zahid as a professional sportsman should also be able to do it when he's playing for his country and will have some help from PCB.

So what's going on?

 

[Saj]

I feel sorry for the guy.

But surely the 2 parties should have discussed his travel plans etc before the thought of him being sent to Zimbabwe on his own.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I feel sorry for the guy.

But surely the 2 parties should have discussed his travel plans etc before the thought of him being sent to Zimbabwe on his own.

It doesn't matter, the t20s are covered and it's not short of resources besides Usman Qadir was the one that made them dance along with Hasnain.

 

[Bewal Express]

Whole of Holland missed the WC coz of not qualifying.

You are right, memories begin to fade but he wasn't going due to the fear even if they qualified

 

[Mamoon]

What a baby. He is 33 years old (officially, probably 37-38 in reality) and cannot travel on his own? Jesus.

Pakistan cricket is a gift that keeps on giving. How do we keep finding such unique specimen?

Won’t be surprised if he pulls a Haris and seems some ghosts in his hotel room as well.

This is a good enough reason to terminate his international career. He is not a long-term option anyway.

 

[gazza619]

What a baby. He is 33 years old (officially, probably 37-38 in reality) and cannot travel on his own? Jesus.

Pakistan cricket is a gift that keeps on giving. How do we keep finding such unique specimen?

Won’t be surprised if he pulls a Haris and seems some ghosts in his hotel room as well.

This is a good enough reason to terminate his international career. He is not a long-term option anyway.

To be fair to Zahid, age has got nothing to do with this,

His personal life experiences and upbringing will be different to others which I guess dictates the personality.

 

[moghul]

How old is he ?

Does not have confidence to travel alone, cannot communicate with anyone in a foreign country, afraid of being lost .

Looks like a totally uneducated person who never saw any school, this "quality" in not rare among new generation of Pakistani cricketers, sadly.

 

[Savak]

I have fear of terbulance and prefer my feet to be on the ground, but I can comfortably get on the plane and can fly alone as well.

 

[ahmedzee]

And we expect our youngsters to be brave and ruthless on the field. When you chicken out from flying, how are you even going to have a career.

 

[Nasty Naz]

pcb didnt make it public. PCB covered it by saying that he had a heat stroke.

Someone from the PCB leaked this

It is disappointing people at PCB prefer to gossip instead of actually doing their jobs properly.

 

[dildilpak]

If ZM has a genuine fear of flying thats one thing, but if he backed out because of language barriers & other non-medical issues, what do you say to that? Maybe PCB could have tried pairing him with some official/travelling partner to ease his concerns?

Anyways, feel sorry for him as he is the biggest loser in this - such opportunities to represent the national team are hard to comeby.