IND vs PAK: How Pakistan players were punished by PCB ahead of their match against India?

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IND vs PAK: After Pakistan lost their T20 World Cup 2024 opener against USA in a humiliating fashion in Dallas on Thursday, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) tightened the noose on its players and banned them from attending private events.

Posters of Pakistan cricket team's private event at an entry fee of USD 25 went viral on social media after their Super Over defeat against USA. Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif alleged that the players even changed their practice time for the private event where the locals were given the opportunity to click pictures and take autographs of their favourite stars.

"How can you Meet and Greet During and before World Cup ? Why @TheRealPCBMedia allow to do private Dinners ? They change practice timings for participate in commercial Dinners . please focus on cricket and money will come automatically.. entry Fees $ 25.00," Latif wrote in his tweet.

Pakistan's non-cricketing activities is being considered one of the main reasons why they were beaten by co-hosts USA. PCB has made it clear that players will not be forgiven again for repeating the offence. The board has directed Pakistan to focus only on cricket and win their next three games to qualify for the Super Eight round of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Reports emerged that Pakistan-origin fans in Dallas and New York were arranging private cars for the cricketers and taking players for private meet and greet events. The curfew time to get back to the team hotel by 10:00 PM was also not being followed by the players. The private events to be hosted in New York ahead of the crucial match against India have been cancelled.

However, the players have been allowed to travel on their own to tourist spots. Pakistan left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi visited the famous Times Square in New York before the match against India at Nassau County international Cricket Stadium on Sunday, June 9.

A defeat against India could have a catastrophic effect on the Babar Azam-led Pakistan cricket team. Reports in Pakistan media have suggested that if Pakistan fails against India then several players from the team could be dropped permanently.