Cricket: ‘Discipline the ingredient behind Pakistan’s fine show’
Players content with PCB’s strict measures on tours after last year’s events.
ABU DHABI:
Discipline is simply the art of making soldiers fear their officers more than the enemy.
The famous military quote appears apt for Pakistan’s cricket team which faces strict disciplinary measures and an eagle eye from the management and the security officer.
The rules are not new but the added emphasis is. The strict execution of those rules is on show during the team’s tours as none of the players, irrespective of the number of matches played, dare break the orders.
The spot-fixing saga and Zulqarnain Haider fleeing to the UK played a fair share in tightening the rope around the players as the board tried to ensure no repeat of either event takes place.
There was less room for leisure for the players during the series against Sri Lanka as the rules completely barred them from entertaining strangers while guests were forbidden from visiting their rooms.
A player who wanted to go out with relatives or friends would need permission from officials and the management now firmly holds onto the passports.
“I haven’t seen such strictness in my career,” a senior player told The Express Tribune.
“The team’s security official acts like a shadow and I feel he even watches us while we sleep,” the player added with a smile.
Captain content with measures
Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq remained satisfied with the measures.
“Sometimes it feels uncomfortable but it’s the need of the hour,” he said.
“The rules are made for our own benefit. The strictness is not affecting our performance. In fact, it is yielding positive results.”
‘Discipline key to fine run’
Meanwhile, a member of the team management said that discipline was the reason behind the team’s recent form.
“Credit goes to teamwork and the spirit but I believe that discipline has played a huge role in our performance.
“The players are making our job easy by showing good attitude towards the rules that we have.
“It can be gauged from the fact that none of the players has been fined for indiscipline during recent series against Sri Lanka.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2011.
Discipline is simply the art of making soldiers fear their officers more than the enemy.
The famous military quote appears apt for Pakistan’s cricket team which faces strict disciplinary measures and an eagle eye from the management and the security officer.
The rules are not new but the added emphasis is. The strict execution of those rules is on show during the team’s tours as none of the players, irrespective of the number of matches played, dare break the orders.
The spot-fixing saga and Zulqarnain Haider fleeing to the UK played a fair share in tightening the rope around the players as the board tried to ensure no repeat of either event takes place.
There was less room for leisure for the players during the series against Sri Lanka as the rules completely barred them from entertaining strangers while guests were forbidden from visiting their rooms.
A player who wanted to go out with relatives or friends would need permission from officials and the management now firmly holds onto the passports.
“I haven’t seen such strictness in my career,” a senior player told The Express Tribune.
“The team’s security official acts like a shadow and I feel he even watches us while we sleep,” the player added with a smile.
Captain content with measures
Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq remained satisfied with the measures.
“Sometimes it feels uncomfortable but it’s the need of the hour,” he said.
“The rules are made for our own benefit. The strictness is not affecting our performance. In fact, it is yielding positive results.”
‘Discipline key to fine run’
Meanwhile, a member of the team management said that discipline was the reason behind the team’s recent form.
“Credit goes to teamwork and the spirit but I believe that discipline has played a huge role in our performance.
“The players are making our job easy by showing good attitude towards the rules that we have.
“It can be gauged from the fact that none of the players has been fined for indiscipline during recent series against Sri Lanka.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2011.