Ex-wicketkeeper blasts Pak team for WC flop

You have 17 officials and 17 players, that’s a joke, says Atiq-uz-Zaman

Former wicket-keeper batter Atiq-uz-Zaman has voiced strong criticism against the Pakistan cricket team following their disappointing campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024, co-hosted by the USA and West Indies.

In a recent interview on a local sports platform, Atiq expressed his frustration over the team’s lack of focus and discipline.

“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 said.

The former cricketer criticized the team’s lack of discipline, highlighting that many players were more interested in enjoying their time off the field than concentrating on their cricket.

“You have made it a habit to travel with wife on tours. They are eating at takeaway joints and are being captured on videos there,” he said.

“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.

The Men in Green experienced a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign as they were eliminated from the tournament without reaching the Super Eight round. Led by Babar Azam, the team was placed in Group A alongside India, USA, Canada, and Ireland.

They suffered consecutive defeats at the hands of the co-hosts USA and their arch-rivals India. However, they managed to win their last two group matches against Canada and Ireland, concluding their tournament with two wins and two losses, earning a total of four points.