PCB scraps claims of rift between players and fielding coach

PCB scraps claims of rift between players and fielding coach: Last week saw a list of reports appearing which suggested that Pakistan Fielding coach Grant Lauden had sent his resignation letter to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) citing unacceptable attitude and behavior of a few senior players of the team which included all-rounder Shahid Afridi and batsman Umar Akmal. As the media speculated over the issue the PCB has come out and scrapped the claims of there being any sort of rift between its players and the fielding coach.

The PCB official statement issued to the press on Wednesday stated, “It is clarified that the news is absolutely fake and that nothing of the sort has happened.”

“The entire team trained together on Wednesday where some players were put through their paces by all the coaches, with Mr. Luden putting an extra hour on both days with a select group of players.”

Though the PCB called all those claims rumor they also accepted the fact that the fielding coach Grant Luden did offer his resignation to the board days before the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. In the PCB’s version the reason was personal and had nothing to do with issue of any sort between the players and the coach.

“A few days prior to the start of the 2015 World Cup, Mr. Luden had expressed his desire that for personal reasons, he would want to be relieved of his duties sometime in May ’15. Subsequently, as his issues were resolved, he took his resignation back,” said the PCB spokesperson.

He also added that they all have high regards for Grant Luden, “The Pakistan Cricket Board (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.”

These stories grew ripe following Pakistan’s 76 runs loss to India in their first Pool B game at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. The team is scheduled to play their second match against the West Indies on the 21st February at Christchurch.