T20 World Cup 2021: Saqlain Mushtaq takes unique step to keep Pakistan players motivated and charged up

The Pakistan cricket team has been on a rampage in the T20 World Cup 2021. Babar Azam and Co. have looked clinical and are the current table-toppers in Group 2. Having already defeated India and New Zealand, two of the top-ranked teams in their group, Pakistan are strong contenders to qualify for the semis. Their net run rate of 0.738 is also the second-best after Afghanistan’s 6.500.

Pakistan coach Saqlain Mushtaq, meanwhile, has chalked out a unique strategy to keep the players motivated and charged up. The veteran has made sure that Pakistan’s national flag is planted on the ground during practice sessions. Mushtaq, also a former off-spinner, wants the players to know that they have the honour of representing their nation at the world stage.

Saqlain Mushtaq has made sure that #Pakistan flags are planted into the ground during practice sessions. It’s to motivate the players, to give the players a sense of feeling and a reminder that they have the honour of representing their country on a world stage #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/zSlG9vrRQY

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) October 28, 2021

The boys put their heart and soul, says Saqlain Mushtaq

Pakistan’s win over India in Dubai was a thumping one as they got over the line with 10 wickets in hand. Opening batters Mohammad Rizwan and skipper Babar didn’t give their opponent many chances to make a comeback.

The Men in Green found themselves in a bit of trouble against New Zealand at Sharjah. However, Asif Ali and Shoaib Malik held their nerves to steer the team past the finishing line. After the wins, Mushtaq was happy with the efforts the players put in.

“The boys put their heart and soul in the first two matches. The confidence and the self-belief we got from those two matches, we have to take it forward,” Saqlain was quoted as saying to the reporters.

Pakistan’s next game is against Afghanistan, who are coming off a 130-run over Scotland, in Dubai on October 29. Mushtaq talked about the importance of carrying on in the same vein in their upcoming matches and not letting complacency sneak in.

“Regardless of who we face, whether it’s Afghanistan or any other team, we need to play that brand of cricket and execute our plans with that mindset. If we can’t do that, it would come back to bite us,” he added.

Pakistan’s last two group games are against Namibia and Scotland on November 2 and November 7 respectively.

Check the latest updates of the T20 World Cup schedule, T20 World cup Teams and Squads, T20 World Cup Points table, and more on CricTracker.