ICC World Cup 2019: Mohammad Yousuf Lashes Out at PCB for Allowing Players’ Families Ahead of India-Pakistan Clash

Jun 15, 2019 at 10:50 AM

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ICC World Cup 2019: Mohammad Yousuf Lashes Out at PCB for Allowing Players’ Families Ahead of India-Pakistan Clash

Former Pakistan skipper Mohammad Yousuf is not happy with the decision of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for allowing the families of the cricketers to stay with the players who are bound to play a high-profile clash in next 48 hours. Recently, PCB has allowed the family members comprised of wives and children of national team cricketers, who are set to face arch-rivals India at the Old Trafford in Manchester.

Yousuf’s comments came on Friday (June 14) after their wives and children joined Pakistani players in Manchester.

The 44-year-old Lahore-based cricketer Yousuf is serving now as a preacher. He reiterated that he has failed to under the logic of PCB’s decision ahead of India-Pakistan marquee clash.

“If it was necessary to appease the players they could have been allowed to have their wives and children at the start of the tournament, not at the business end of the World Cup,” PTI quoted Yousuf as saying.

After expressing unhappiness, Yousuf suggested they should have allowed players to focus on cricket. He followed it up by saying it holds quite an importance at the ongoing World Cup. So much so, it’s Pakistan crucial game given to their miserable show in the ongoing quadrennial event.

sarfaraz-ahmed-Syeda-Khushbaht-Abdullah
Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed with his wife Syeda Khushbakht and son Abdullah. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

With Yousuf deemed the move as a major distraction, he further expressed worry about the impending results for Pakistan.

Pertinently, the PCB at the first go had refused to allow. However, the latest decision saw the families being allowed to stay in the team hotel following a loss against Australia on June 12.

The legendary cricketer Yousuf reminisced about his World Cup tour to different countries. He has himself represented Pakistan in three ODI World Cups between 1999 and 2007. He recalled that they were not allowed to have their families during the world most-prestigious event.

“I was part of the 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups. But the board never allowed players to have their families with them during the tournament,” Yousuf recalled.

Yousuf then elaborated his comment by saying the players could have easily convinced the board given to the star-studded players in the line-up.

“In 1999 we had such a big team with so many big names that if we had pressurised the board to give permission to have our wives and children stay with us in team hotel they would have done so,” Yousuf recalled.

However, he cited they decided against it and backed themselves to focus on their game. But, they went on to lose the finale against Australia by eight wickets in a lop-sided encounter in London.

“But we didn’t because the World Cup is high-pressure event and players need to just be focussed on cricket and reaching the final. That is what happened in 99′ in England,” Yousuf stated.

Also, Pakistan is eighth on the points table with just a win in four games. They have lost to the Windies before Australia thrashed them by 41 runs at the County Cricket Ground in Taunton.

Furthermore, Pakistan managed to beat World No.1 ranked ICC ODI team England by 14 runs.

Yousuf reveals they have their families with them on Test tours:

Mohammad Yousuf
Yousuf bids adieu to the game too early. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Yousuf had himself featured in 288 ODIs, 90 Tests for Pakistan. He added they were not allowed to have their families in the limited-overs format during his heydays. However, he admitted the fact that they were allowed to have their families during the Test fixtures.

“I remember we were allowed to have our wives and children with us only during Test matches as it made sense as we stayed in one city for at least a week,” Yousuf concludes.

Yousuf has been one of the successful players for Pakistan. He has won hearts for his eye-catching footwork and stroke-making.

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