Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq has endorsed the idea of resuming cricketing action in empty stadiums with the right safety barriers, saying being confined to home due to the coronavirus-forced lockdown can become depressing for not only players but all.
While all the sporting activities have been banned due to the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe, he England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are reportedly contemplating rescheduling and organizing the three Test matches against Pakistan in August behind closed doors.
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Former Pakistan captain believes that some live cricket action will help the people to feel a lot of good during the ongoing global health crisis, as everyone can be depressed hearing about the COVID-19 news all the time.
Given that, the Pakistan head coach is okay with the game at the empty stadiums, saying players, match officials, and other stakeholders, cricket boards can move forward with the right safety barriers and precautions.
As per reports in PTI, Misbah said: “It is not an ideal situation for anyone because of this coronavirus pandemic and obviously the health and wellbeing of everyone should be our top priority. But if matches can be held even in empty stadiums with the right safety barriers ... I would have no problems,”
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He added, “Everyone is confined and I just think that if even if it can be made possible to bring some live cricket action to people sitting at home it would do them a lot of good. It becomes depressing when you have nothing to do and hear about mostly COVID-19 news all the time. In this situation, if sports can be resumed and if cricket can be started at least it will allow the people to watch cricket at home.”
Misbah also stressed that the cricket boards will have to follow the government instructions on the coronavirus even if they got the clearance to resume game without crowds. He added, “But even they first got clearance from their government. Cricket boards also will have to do that.”
The 45-year-old also made it clear that maintaining fitness standards during these testing times would be the responsibility of the players, hoping that they will be in top condition.
Misbah signed off by saying, “I told them as cricket professionals it is their individual responsibility to take care of themselves and their fitness. Because they can be called on duty anytime.”
(With PTI Inputs)
