Pakistan's former wicketkeeper Atiq-uz-Zaman has made some startling revelations about growing indiscipline in the country's cricket team, highlighting a few negatives that contributed to Pakistan's disastrous show at the ongoing T20 World Cup in the US and the Caribbean islands.
The Babar-Azam led team made a sorry exit from the tournament in the group stage itself, after an upset defeat against USA and a narrow loss to archrivals India.
T20 WORLD CUP: Points Table | Schedule The unexpected and shocking early ouster from the World Cup led to scathing criticism of the team, opening a can of worms that continues to expose Pakistan's cricket administration as well as the alleged groupism in the team.
In a video that has gone viral on social media, Pakistan's ex-stumper Atiq accused the team of being indisciplined on various counts, while alleging that the traveling party included a lot of freeloaders.
"You are creating such a drama. During our time, there used to be a coach and with him a manager -- the team was run like that," said Atiq.
"Ab aaapke 17 log hain officals mein aur 17 players hain, suna hai ke aapne 60 kamre book karvaye hue the (you have 17 officials and 17 players; it's being said you booked 60 rooms). That's a joke! Have you gone there to play cricket or to holiday?"
Atiq further questioned families accompaying players for an important tournament.
"Why do you allow families in big events?...Begum, jaan nahi chhodti; aapne aadat bana di hai, begum ko saath le ke ghoomne ki aadat hai (you have made it a habit to travel with wife on tours). They go out in the evening and focus shifts from cricket. They focus on family, kids, wife...Takeaways pe khana kha rahe hote hain...aur wahan pe unki movieyan chal rahi hoti hain (they are eating at takeaway joints and are being captured on videos there)," said Atiq, who played a solitary Test and three ODIs for Pakistan.
WATCH VIDEOHe went on to add that players aren't acting responsibily despite being paid heftily by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
"Such a culture has been created in Pakistan cricket that nobody knows what is discipline...You have gone to play such a big event, where is your focus?...Can't you leave everything else and focus on cricket alone for two weeks? You are being paid crores annually," he concluded.
Pakistan, the 2009 T20 World Cup winners, finished third in Group A that was topped by India. USA finished second.
Top two teams from each of the four groups progressed to the 'Super 8s'.