The Pakistan cricket team, led by Babar Azam, has had a mixed journey in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, playing a total of eight matches with four wins and four losses. They currently hold the 5th position in the tournament’s standings, accumulating eight points in their eight games.
Arriving in India for the prestigious tournament, the team was well aware of the travel restrictions and high-security measures due to the political tensions between the two countries. However, the team director, Mickey Arthur, shed light on how challenging these security arrangements have been for Pakistan.
Arthur explained that while being on the road is not new for the Pakistani players, the intense security measures have made it feel as if they were back in the COVID-19 pandemic era. The players have been largely confined to their floors and team rooms, with even their breakfast being served in a separate area.
“So, I’ve sort of taken it back. And to be fair, I’ve found it difficult. It’s almost like we’ve been back in COVID times, where you were almost secluded to your floor and your team room. So much so that their breakfast is in a separate room from everybody else. So, it’s almost been the tough aspect,” he added.
The impact of the tight security and travel restrictions on the players has been significant. Arthur noted that it has led to a sense of monotony, where each day feels like a repetition of the previous one. Players find themselves in a routine of breakfast and returning to their rooms, which has made it challenging for them to break the monotony.
In an effort to alleviate the situation, the team has organized small, enjoyable events within the team room, but these activities can only provide limited relief. They have managed to take the players out three times, with tight security, to different restaurants or locations, offering them a brief taste of the outside world. Despite these efforts, the team’s experience in India has been a unique and challenging one due to the stringent security measures and the restrictions placed on their movements.
“It certainly does. It definitely does, and I’ve seen it with some players where it has been; you wake up again, and it’s like Groundhog Day. It’s exactly the same. You have breakfast, and if it’s a non-training day, you’re back in your room,” Arthur said.
“We’ve tried to have sort of little fun team events and whatever within our team room. But you know, there’s only so much you can recreate. I think the guys have been out three times – we’ve managed to do that with security, get them out to a different restaurant or whatever, just to give them a little bit of a taste of the outside world,” he concluded.
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