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Wasim, Waqar unhappy over PCB releasing dressing room videos

PCB's social media handles have been active in releasing videos of what their favorite cricketers are upto

Wasim, Waqar unhappy over PCB releasing dressing room videos PHOTO: PCB/File

Pakistan men's cricket team social media is one of the most active compared to other cricket teams.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) tries to give fans a glimpse of what their favorite players do apart from the action. Birthdays, gyms, and dressing room videos are a few to name.

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PCB shared a video of Babar Azam's speech after the defeat against India in the first game of T20 World Cup. They also shared Babar's video yesterday after they qualified for the semis and also mentor Matthew Hayden's inspirational talk.

But, Pakistan's two cricketing greats, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis are not in favor of these videos.

The Sultan of Swing things whatever happens inside a change room should be kept confidential and not highlighted to the world.

"If I were Babar, I would get hold of that guy making a video. Sometimes, certain things are personal. I am all for social media, players interacting with their fans and everything. But I have not seen any other team do it in this World Cup? So yeah, the urge to get extra numbers (followers, likes), cut it down. This is too much," Akram said a local sports channel.

"There are recordings taking place all the time. Imagine if I am sitting and not knowing someone is recording - a message I want to give my team. Just tell him, 'Guys, relax for two days. Do it some other place but not dressing room."

The 56-year-old shared his opinion after seeing a piece from the video when Babar was seen advising batter Mohammad Haris for getting out without finishing the game for his team. Haris was batting on 31 off 18 balls when Pakistan just seven short of the 128-run target set by Bangladesh, but he perished on the last ball of the 17th over.

"Haris, you have played brilliantly. But these small things will give you confidence, for example, when you finish a game, your level will be different. When the match is in hands, make sure you don't lose a wicket. Our seniors told me that when you finish a match, your confidence level goes up, wherever you play," Babar said in the video.

Meanwhile, Waqar, who was part of the side as bowling coach until last year, said that the world should be privy to such team meetings and gatherings.

He believes that Pakistan had a history of information getting leaked, players engaging in quarrels and other similar incidents.

"I 100 percent agree with you. Whatever happens inside the dressing room, should stay there. This is a problem not just now but earlier as well when a lot of information was leaked to the media - people used to scream, argue, fight. And now you yourself are recording and showing it to the world," Waqar mentioned.