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Measures paying off: Naushad

ABU DHABI — Pakistan cricket has a history of off-field incidents which have cost the country dearly in the past. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is paying special attention to the issue and signs of improvement are quite visible.

Lack of education is a major factor behind these issues because the boys from the rural areas who have little exposure to the world make it to the team and they fail to deal with the adolation and money they receive.

Pakistan manager on the UAE tour, Col. Naushad Ali while talkikng to Khaleej Times said: “Pakistan cricket has gone through many trails during the last one and a half years. Now we are trying to make things to avoid incidents like spot-fixing.

“It is the need of the hour to keep a vigilant eye on the players during the tour. It has really helped us to instill discipline among the players.

“The match referees have appreciated the team’s attitude during the tour and there wasn’t a single violation of discipline on the UAE tour. Only Mohammed Hafeez was reprimanded by the match referee during the Twenty20 match on Friday for showing dissent over his lbw decision. The ball hit his thigh and went through to the keeper but the decision of the umpire should have been accepted without any hassle.”

The security measures are so stringent that it looks like that players are being treated as prisoners. They have no freedom to go anywhere alone during the tour and above all they are barred from speaking to the media. Without getting sound bites from the players, the journalists find it very difficult to gauge player reactions.

The manager added: “Pakistan Cricket Board is planning to constitute a vigilant body to keep an eye on the players and their activities. It might look odd at the moment but it is going to pay in the long run.

“Players need to be updated on the hazards faced by the game and no one should be allowed to mix with suspect people which has cost the game a lot in the past.”

Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq is also in favour of tough security measures and he said; “The might feel a bit uneasy over these restrictions but in fact it is for their betterment.

“We should not feel it a burden but take it as a duty which will help us avoid any untoward incident in future.”

liaqat@khaleejtimes.com