Pakistan A captain Mohammad Haris has revealed a surprising directive within his team for the Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup: a ban on discussing India in the dressing room. This unprecedented measure aims to alleviate the intense pressure that often accompanies matches against their arch-rivals.
Haris, who has represented Pakistan in both ODIs and T20Is, explained the rationale behind the ban. “We don’t have to think (only) about India, we have to think about other teams as well,” he said. “It creates so much pressure that mentally you are thinking about India, India. We have to face other teams as well.”
The 23-year-old captain believes that focusing solely on India can be detrimental to the team’s performance. “So this team is currently banned (from talking about India). We have not talked about India so far in the dressing room. Not just India, we have to respect other teams as well.”
Pakistan A will face India A in their tournament opener on October 19. The other teams in their group are UAE and Oman. India will be led by middle-order batsman Tilak Varma, who has already played for the senior team in both ODIs and T20Is. Opener Abhishek Sharma will serve as Varma’s deputy.
Haris’s revelation has sparked a range of reactions on social media. Some have praised the decision as a wise move that will help the team focus on their other opponents. Others have questioned the necessity of such a ban, arguing that it could create an unnecessary sense of mystery and tension.
Regardless of the differing opinions, the ban on discussing India in the Pakistan A dressing room is a clear indication of the intense rivalry between the two nations. It remains to be seen whether this strategy will prove successful in helping Pakistan A achieve their goals in the tournament.
