PCB decides not to allow cricketers to take their families along during the World Cup

E-Paper | October 01, 2026

PCB decides not to allow cricketers to take their families along during the World Cup

APP Dawn.com Published April 20, 2019

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to not allow the national team's players to live with their families during the upcoming 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales starting on May 30. — AFP/File

comments

Join our Whatsapp Channel

Add Dawn as a trusted source

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to not allow the national team's players to bring their families along on the upcoming 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales starting on May 30.

The decision has been taken keeping in mind the pressure of the tournament, the board said while adding that the focus of the players should be on their game during the World Cup.

The board has mentioned that players' families can travel to England on their own expense.

Read: Pakistan to play 11 matches before World Cup

Additionally, the board clarified that the players could keep their families along with them during the series against England prior to the World Cup, a private news channel reported.

The cricket team will travel to England on April 23 to participate in the two and a half month long tour including the series against England and the World Cup.

Read: Wasim criticises Pakistan team’s diet ahead of World Cup

On Thursday, Chief Selector Inzamamul Haq announced Pakistan's 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup squad which left out experienced fast bowler Mohammad Amir.

WorldCup19

Sport

'Kaptaan' Khan gives cricket team pre-World Cup pep talk

Wasim criticises Pakistan team’s diet ahead of World Cup

Amir misses out on Pakistan's 15-man World Cup squad

Babu

Apr 20, 2019 12:10pm

Good

Recommend 0

Akram

Apr 20, 2019 12:16pm

Good decision. Why should taxpayers pay for cricketer families?

Recommend 0

Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Apr 20, 2019 12:16pm

Right decision. Concentrate on cricket first. Enjoy vacation with family afterwards.

Recommend 0

JackJones

Apr 20, 2019 12:25pm

Does this apply to chief selector too? And of course his nephew?

Recommend 0

Jamal

Apr 20, 2019 12:35pm

I don’t get it! If the restrictions are needed to reduce distractions then why are players allowed to bring families on their own expense? Seems like a money matter to me. Btw, I agree that the Board shouldn’t be paying for family travel. They just need to be upfront about it rather than trying to weasel out of it!

Recommend 0

Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Apr 20, 2019 12:42pm

Good decision and let players focus on their games rather than spending time with their families that will divert attention, affect performance and end results. The world cup should be taken seriously with positive frame of mind and strategy - it wouldn't be easy! (Awam ki Awaz).

Recommend 0

Ayesha

Apr 20, 2019 12:50pm

today match prediction

Recommend 0

Mukesh

Apr 20, 2019 12:51pm

Excellent decision. They are not going on holiday.

Recommend 0

Tallat

Apr 20, 2019 12:54pm

Well, they going to finish early so what’s point of taking families

Recommend 0

Tanveer

Apr 20, 2019 12:58pm

A sane decision. They get paid for their services hence they should fund the family expenses themselves.Imagine each player having 4-5 family members,it all adds up.

Recommend 0

mian saab

Apr 20, 2019 01:03pm

exactly why shopping with family they are going for a serious game.

Recommend 0

Sid

Apr 20, 2019 01:05pm

Yeh now the players can do whatever they want after the matches.. go clubbing and have a great time off the field... no family commitments to hold them back If anything PCB should ban players from going outside the hotel after a certain period of time

Recommend 0

Parvez

Apr 20, 2019 01:12pm

What the team needs is a trained sports physiologist ...... to motivate them, to talk sense to them and make them understand ground realities .

Recommend 0

Rahul

Apr 20, 2019 01:15pm

Seems like PCB is in a severe shortages of funds.

Recommend 0

Wali

Apr 20, 2019 01:25pm

Very good decision. Concentrate on cricket and stay away from bookies.

Recommend 0

The Truth Spy

Apr 20, 2019 01:51pm

Good decision the whole country is only after cricket need to focus on other sports as well as

Recommend 0

Junaid

Apr 20, 2019 02:04pm

It is after all a family vacation. Who is interested in cricket?

Recommend 0

A. Ali

Apr 20, 2019 02:05pm

that means earlier PCB was paying for their families ? or no ? ... pls clarify.

Recommend 0

Dr. Faazil Ahmed

Apr 20, 2019 02:20pm

I guess the officials and bureaucrats have already committed and promised their extended family tickets for the World Cup. What a disgrace. We must make sure our players are all contented so that they give their best performances.

Recommend 0

Iqbal Hadi Zaidi

Apr 20, 2019 02:35pm

What has been promised to be bestowed upon the team if it lifts World Cup? Iqbal Hadi Zaidi

Recommend 0

Vikas

Apr 20, 2019 02:53pm

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan, what right decision and concentrate on cricket first? It’s only that the. A Krispy board of a bankrupt nation is not willing to pay. They are allowed to go at their own expense. So that makes it clear it’s bit about cricket, it’s about the money.

Recommend 0

Karachites

Apr 20, 2019 03:09pm

@Akram, taxpayer ? As far as I know PCB is autonomuos institution and does not take a penny from government , infact they pay taxes to government.

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Apr 20, 2019 03:21pm

What do the rules and regulations in this respect say? In the past, the whole world has seen greenshirt players, managers, coaches, chief selectors and even PCB hand-picked and unelected members taking their families and friends overseas with the cricket team. If it happened in the past, why can't it happen now?

Recommend 0

Faisal

Apr 20, 2019 04:50pm

Good decision.

Recommend 0

karamat

Apr 20, 2019 06:03pm

This should always have been the case.

Recommend 0

asif

Apr 20, 2019 10:03pm

very good decision, it is not an outing but a very serious tournament and players needs to concentrate 100% on their performance and fitness.

Recommend 0

JackJones

Apr 21, 2019 12:58am

We all know being away from family can be tough, however, representing Pakistan requires sacrifice and the players should know this better than the PCB. Additionally, that is why it is important to give players breaks/time off periodically, not 7 key players at the same time like Pakistan did in the Australian series. Moreover, this provides an opportunity for other talented players to be tested, for example Abid and Husnan. Rest of the countries exercise this strategy regularly except for Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Ibrahim Khan

Apr 21, 2019 01:12am

Not free ride. these Tough of Pakistan, are not going on boarder, these team players should stay in 3 star, living $ 50 p/day. save foreign exchange. MD post removed, Dual national Ehsan Mani old age should be sent to UK. hire local save FX Pakistan have shortage of FX.

Recommend 0

Sheraz Waris

Apr 21, 2019 05:36am

@Akram, PCB generates its own revenue. It had nothing to do with your taxes.

Recommend 0

Noor

Apr 21, 2019 05:38am

I wonder Inzaman will go with his family. PCB waste far too money on their large staff roll. Money should be spent on improving cricket not for Pakistan players and cricketers families.

Recommend 0

Mohd azeez

Apr 21, 2019 09:35am

Wrong decision. For 50 days our cricketers will have frustrations, where will they relieve themselves, they may in fact end up going to wrong places. Better take their families and keep them happy.

Recommend 0

J,Gamble

Apr 21, 2019 10:05pm

I support PCB decision 110% over not allowing players' families to travel with them for World Cup. This will maKW SURE THAT PLAYERS pay their undivided attention to play the best cricket.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

28 years of McDonald’s Pakistan: celebrating the local partners behind the Golden Arches

The milestone highlighted the structural evolution of the company's local procurement model.

Etihad Town Sialkot delivers Possession ahead of time

The project was delivered within just 1.5 years against a 3-year payment plan, while commercial possession had already been handed over to customers in January 2026.