Fielding coach threatens to resign over players' misconduct

Published February 18, 2015
Grant Luden said that these three players don’t cooperate during the training sessions. -File Photo
Grant Luden said that these three players don’t cooperate during the training sessions. -File Photo

KARACHI: The fielding coach of Pakistan cricket team, Grant Luden, threatened to resign from his post on Tuesday after three senior players reportedly misbehaved with him, DawnNews reported.

Luden complained about the misconduct of star all-rounder Shahid Afridi, opener Ahmed Shehzad and wicket-keeper batsman Umer Akmal, and conveyed his reservations to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Sheheryar Ahmed Khan.

The fielding coach said that these three players don’t cooperate during the training sessions and also use abusive harsh language. Luden has threatened that if the current behaviour of players prevails then he will resign from his post.

Replying to the concerns forwarded by Luden, PCB has assured him of full cooperation by the players and also pledged that proper investigation will be carried out into the incident.

The team is already suffering the loss of key players due to injuries and restrictions, in such calling situation any further loss can leave disastrous mark on the team’s performance in the remaining matches.

The team management is already under serious pressure and criticism after suffering a rather humiliating loss against India during the inaugural game in World Cup 2015.

The emphatic 76-run victory lifted India’s record to 6-0 against Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cups and Pakistan might have to wait for another four years to break this jinx.

Former Captain and legendary batsman Javaid Miandad blamed the team management for making silly decisions that lead to the downfall against the arch rivals.

“It was nothing but a mind-boggling team selection that shocked millions of its fans around the world. What's the science behind promoting Younis Khan as an opener? What's the logic of leaving out a specialist wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed when he could also bat aggressively? It was like pushing the panic button before the start of an all-important event,” he had said.

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