Published: Feb 21, 2015, 07:32 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 21, 2015, 07:32 AM (IST)
After the high voltage clash between India and Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, it is believed that the Pakistan fielding coach tried to resign after a fallout with senior players while Indian media suggesting that Indian coach Duncan Fletcher was sidelined by his fellow staff members. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Full Coverage
Though the players from both the teams had a good game, the same can’t be said for the relationship between the players and media from the opposition country.
Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has lashed out at what he labelled “propaganda” coming out of the Indian media, condemning them of misquoting him after he gave several interviews following his return from the World Cup through injury.
Reports from Press Trust of India suggest Hafeez saying coach Waqar Younis and Moin Khan were sidelining veteran captain Misbah-ul-Haq.
“I have not said anything like this. This is propaganda aimed at maligning the Pakistan team,” Hafeez was quoted as saying in a report from Fox Sports.
“Pakistani team, players and management are united, there is not any sort of rift or politics in the dressing room,” he added.
Hafeez also said that winning and losing are all part and parcel of the game but the conspiracy theory must end.
“The Press Trust of India (PTI) must prove what they have attributed to me. I will bring this to the knowledge of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) because this is a serious allegation,” he further claimed.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was compelled to respond to reports that fielding coach Grant Luden resigned out of frustration after having a heated argument with senior players.
“Reports stating that there has been a tiff between three players, Afridi, Shehzad and Akmal and fielding coach Luden and that the latter has resigned because of it, are absolutely false and that nothing of the sort has happened,” a Pakistan Cricket Board statement said.
“A few days prior to the start of the World Cup 2015, Luden had expressed his desire that for personal reasons, he would want to be relieved of his duties sometime in May 2015. Subsequently, as his issues were resolved, he took his resignation back. The PCB and the team management as well as the boys hold the job he is doing in high esteem, and are keen that he continues to serve in his present role,” the board statement added.
But Pakistan’s Express Tribune newspaper has a different opinion saying that Luden was involved in a brawl during the series with New Zealand ahead of the World Cup and also handed his resignation as his methods were ineffective.
Whereas, NDTV, ran a report featuring a firm denial from the BCCI that coach Fletcher is being destabilised by team director Ravi Shastri.
Indian media manager Dr R N Baba was quoted as saying that news of a meeting between Shastri and the team’s support staff without the Indian Coach were completely false and “figment of imagination.”
