Pakistan A captain Mohammad Haris has disclosed that it has been directed to his team not to say a word about India in the changing room on the match day, October 19, during their Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup against India.
A comprehensive qualifying stage will conclude in December with the group featuring the UAE and Oman as well. Haris, 23, who has played 6 ODIs and 9 T20Is for Pakistan, said that too much talk regarding cricket with respect to India can dawn undue pressure over the individuals.
Haris further stated that talking only about the match with India will not only add pressure but will deprive time to concentrate on other important games. “We don’t have to think (b) only about India; we have to think about other teams as well,” Haris said.
Concerning the senior Pakistan team, he also addressed the participants of the World Cup that in such pressure conditioning of the whole attention on India can mentally abuse sportsmen. “It creates so much pressure that now a person is mentally focused about India, India. We have other teams to face as well,” he said.
In order to prevent such scenarios, the management has outlawed the talking about India in the dressing rooms such a move that is meant to keep the balance of the focus of the team on all the games played.
In addition, Haris said that, it is crucial to give due reverence to all the participants in a contest. We have not talked about India so far in the dressing room. Not just India; we have to respect other teams as well; he said.
On the other side, India A will be led by middle order batsman Tilak Varma who has played 4 ODIs & 16 T20s for the senior side.
Supporting Varma as vice captain will be opener Abhishek Sharma who both have clubbed headed roles as both are expected to play importantly in leading their team in this much awaited tournament.
This order from the management of Pakistan A dispels any such notions and actually reflects the situation between the two countries India and Pakistan all the way down to the emerging team level. It is a tactical move to manage what the players’ attention is directed to and minimize the mental pressure that comes with playing against an age-old foe.
As the Pakistan Shaheens get ready to face India A, they have been practicing for the match a bit more as their team believes in a principle of giving respect to every opponent in order to be mentally ready for all the challenges in the tournament.
Journalists are surprised to learn that the captain of Pakistan A has imposed a ban on discussing the country of India with the team. Why is Pakistan A a weak step for its captain?