Former Test cricketer of Pakistan cricket team, Saqlain Mushtaq was recently reprimanded by the Pakistan cricket board for his positive comments on former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The former Pakistan spinner who also runs a youtube channel by his name posted a video after Dhoni announced his retirement. In the video, he praised Dhoni. The Pakistan cricket board apparently reprimanded Mushtaq because as the head of international players development at the High-Performance Centre, he cannot post videos on Youtube. However, a source close to the board said,
“The PCB was not impressed by Saqlain for over the board praise of Dhoni and his obvious interference in Indian cricket affairs when he criticized the BCCI for not giving Dhoni a proper farewell match.”
Coaches Advised To Stay Away From YouTube
There have been several instances in the past where the board has directed the players of the national team to stay away from making comments on Indian cricket and its players. Reportedly, it is because of the tensions between the two countries. After the Saqlain Mushtaq incident, the board has also directed the coaches to stay away from making comments. The source further said,
“Many of these coaches were managing their channels on youtube but have now been told clearly that since they are employees of the board they can’t work on youtube and secondly even while giving interviews in the media they have to first seek clear permission from the board.”
Apart from Saqlain Mushtaq, various other former cricketers have their channels on youtube including Basit Ali, Faisal Iqbal, Atiq uz Zaman, Muhammad Wasim, and Abdul Razzaq. The source added,
“Obviously they are employed with the board and they have been told they have to either follow terms of their contract and service rules or decide what they want to do.”
Source: Hindustan Times
