Media reports about grouping in Sarfaraz’s team untrue, says Pakistan Cricket Board

One humiliating loss against India at Old Trafford and Pakistan cricket is in disarray. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side suffered an 89-run defeat against the arch-rivals in a one-sided game in the ICC World Cup and it has also pushed them to the danger of crashing out of the tournament early. The greenshirts have only four games left now and will need to win all of them to brighten their hopes of making the last four.

After Pakistan failed to beat India for the seventh time in a row in the World Cup, all sort of theories has started surfacing to bring out the real reason for the debacle. While videos were circulated alleging that the Pakistani players were partying late into the night when the India game was scheduled next morning, speculations were also rife that the team was witnessing factional feuds that were hurting it in the tournament.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has done its bit to back its players against the accusations. It has clarified that the video showing Pakistani players at a restaurant late in the night was not from June 15, the day before the India clash, but earlier. Now, it has also rejected media reports that friction in the team caused back-to-back losses to Australia and India and said that the entire team was supporting Sarfaraz.

Team will prove critics wrong, says board official

The board spokesperson also said that the team will soon prove the critics wrong by producing a much-improved performance in the remaining games. It may be noted here that Imran Khan’s Pakistan were in a similar situation with one win from five matches in the 1992 World Cup before making an unbelievable comeback to win the trophy eventually.

“There is no reality in the news related to conflicts between players and the captain. Media should avoid unnecessary speculations. Board and players have given fill confidence to Sarfaraz. There are tough dressing room talks but there is no grouping. The team wants to perform well in the tournament and they will.” Geo.TV quoted the spokesperson as saying.

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The official also said that contrary to the media reports, head coach Mickey Arthur shares a cordial relationship with the players.