The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faced heavy criticism after videos of their players practicing fielding on old mattresses went viral. Fans slammed the PCB for using outdated methods to improve the team's fielding skills.
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In the videos, Pakistani players were seen diving on old mattresses during their practice sessions. This unusual training method sparked outrage on social media. Fans blamed the PCB for the team's poor fielding standards, especially after Pakistan's disappointing performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Very Poor Structure Of Pakistan 🇵🇰 Cricket It Shows How They Always Failed In International Cricket. They Are Doing Fielding Drills On Mattress Like Gully Cricket. #PakistanCricketTeam #BabarAzam𓃵 #CricketTwitter #Kanguva #ICC #T20IWorldCup
— Gurtej Grewal (@GGurtej) July 2, 2024
pic.twitter.com/Sf5v9qrgjH
Pakistan cricketer never dissapoint you....doing fielding practice in bed mattress...!! 😅🇵🇰#PakistanTeam #PracticeSession pic.twitter.com/BEYmq8XlgC
— Cric Choice (@CricChoice) July 3, 2024
Mistakes in the field, such as Azam Khan's errors and silly overthrows in the Super Over against the USA, were heavily criticized. Fans pointed out that better facilities and training methods were needed for top-level athletes.
What a drill! 😄 No team has used a mattress for catching practice, but Pakistan is trying it—and still dropping catches on mattress 🤣🤣🤣
— Asrar Ahmed (@Im_AsrarAhmed) July 3, 2024
Imam Ul Haq 😀😀, who said he is a cricketer? Zero fitness level. He is in team bez of friendship. #PakistanCricketpic.twitter.com/1BXcKvUbAO
Pakistan's fielding was particularly bad during the T20 World Cup. The team lost against the USA and India in their first two matches and was eliminated in the group stage.
What other methods have PCB used for training in the past?
The PCB's training methods have come under scrutiny for quite some time now. Before the T20 World Cup, the team was sent to a military camp to improve their fitness.
This training included climbing ropes and trekking hills with stones on their heads, which fans felt was outdated and not suitable for modern cricket training.
Pakistan team using bed mattress to practice catching 😂😂😂. I am not sure if Gary Kirsten is involved in any capacity here pic.twitter.com/ItDs7X0QO8
— உன்னைப்போல் ஒருவன் (@Sandy_Offfl) July 3, 2024
Under Babar Azam's captaincy, Pakistan has failed in back-to-back ICC tournaments, including the ODI and T20 World Cups, within eight months. The recent criticisms highlight the need for the PCB to modernize their training methods and facilities to match international standards.
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