Pakistan Cricket Team is in dire need of a psychologist. Babar Azam & Co set to play IND vs PAK match in front of a world record crowd at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in World Cup 2023. So that the team can handle pressure, Pakistan Cricket Board is looking for a sports psychologist. Before WC, India vs Pakistan clash is on September 2 in Asia Cup 2023.
Most of the Pakistani players including skipper Babar Azam have not played any match in India. Hence, the team will be unaware of the huge pressure from the arch-rivals crowd as well as millions of people back home.
As Pakistan have already lost high-pressure matches to Australia and England in two T20 World Cups, PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf wants a psychologist or mental conditioning coach to accompany the team. There will be great media attention on the match as well as the venue.
In 2012, when Pakistan visited India for a limited-overs series (3 ODIs and 5 T20Is), PCB sent in sports psychologist with the team. Zaka Ashraf was also the PCB chairman at that time.
As Pakistan Cricket Team wants to bounce back from two disappointing losses in two T20 WCs, a sports psychologist will be of great help. However, as per GeoNews, PCB hasn’t finalised who will fill in the role. mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton is a possibility. He has worked with Pakistani players in Pakistan Super League franchise Lahore Qalandars in the past.
Even India had appointed Paddy Upton ahead of T20 World Cup 2022. Upton was part of the Indian support staff for the 2011 World Cup-winning campaign.
Will Pakistan visit India for World Cup 2023?
Meanwhile, there are positive signs regarding India vs Pakistan match. Even though World Cup schedule will be revised, as things stand, Babar Azam & Co will be in India. If everything goes as per plan, Pakistan Cricket Team will arrive in India the last week of September.
There were doubts regarding Pakistan’s visit owing to security concerns and worsening diplomatic ties. However, Pakistan’s panel is ready to green signal the team’s travel.
Pakistan World Cup Schedule
| Date | Day | Team 1 | Team 2 | City | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 6 | Friday | Pakistan | Netherlands | Hyderabad | Pak won by 81 runs |
| Oct 10 | Tuesday | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | Hyderabad | Pak won by 6 wickets |
| Oct 14 | Saturday | India | Pakistan | Ahmedabad | India won by 7 wickets |
| Oct 20 | Friday | Australia | Pakistan | Bengaluru | Aus won by 62 runs |
| Oct 23 | Monday | Pakistan | Afghanistan | Chennai | Pak lost by 8 wickets |
| Oct 27 | Friday | Pakistan | South Africa | Chennai | Pak lost by 1-wicket |
| Oct 31 | Tuesday | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Kolkata | Pak won by 7-wickets |
| Nov 4 | Saturday | New Zealand | Pakistan | Bengaluru | Pakistan won by 21 runs via DLS |
| Nov 11 | Saturday | England | Pakistan | Kolkata | 2:00 PM |
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