PCB Blames Hotel Location for Pakistan’s Defeat to USA

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed frustration with Cricket USA following Pakistan’s unexpected defeat in their opening game of the T20 World Cup 2024. The PCB claims that suboptimal accommodations played a significant role in the team’s performance.

Raza Rashid, the media manager of the PCB, highlighted the issue of the Pakistani team’s hotel location, attributing the responsibility to Cricket USA.

“We were given a distant hotel by them,” Rashid stated. He explained that the players struggled to adjust to their environment due to the distance from the stadium, which negatively impacted their performance in the match.

Pakistani cricketers voiced their concerns to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, protesting the long commute required for practice sessions. This logistical challenge reportedly caused significant discomfort and fatigue among the players. Sources within the team indicated that the inability to acclimate to the wicket conditions at the stadium also contributed to the loss against the United States.

Rashid emphasized that the decision regarding the hotel location was made by Cricket USA, not the PCB. He noted that such decisions typically involve consultation with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ensure proper monitoring of players during global events. This oversight, according to Rashid, added to the players’ difficulties.

Former cricketers pointed out that the logistical and scheduling issues began from the outset. They criticized the PCB for creating a challenging schedule that took the team from England to the United States with minimal time allocated for practice. The hectic itinerary and additional engagements left the players with insufficient preparation time for the crucial match.

The PCB’s criticisms underscore the importance of proper logistical arrangements and adequate preparation time for teams competing in global tournaments. As Pakistan prepares for their next match against India on June 9 in New York, addressing these issues will be crucial to avoid further setbacks.