Pakistan assistant coach Azhar Mahmood was left frustrated over a reporter questioning players for going out to a restaurant after loss to India in New York. Mahmood responded by saying that players have a right to go out to clear their mind even if they face a defeat as staying in the hotel room and thinking about the game in excruciating detail won’t do them any good.
"You were there. I'm telling you; you were there. I saw you there too," Mahmood said in a stern reply to the Pakistani reporter in the press conference before must-win clash against Canada.
"The thing is, we are a very emotional nation. I mean, it's not possible that if you lose a match, your life will be over. Yes, how will you do it? If you lose a match and then you come to the room and bang the walls of the room, then you need a little time to relax your mind.
"Now, obviously, our players are not like that. I've been with English teams, too. If they go to a place like that, you can only go to eat, that's our entertainment."
No rift between Babar and Afridi
Mahmood also put an end to the rumours about rift between skipper Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi who was captain of the T20I side for a brief period. Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram had said that the two are not on talking terms.
"Wasim must have said that, but I don't know. I didn't see it. Shaheen and Babar are definitely talking, they are good friends. They are both part of the Pakistan team. We have not lost because of anyone, it is our mistake too," Mahmood said.
Support staff responsible for the defeat too
Mahmood was also asked why Pakistan players are not coming for press conferences. After the defeat to India, head coach Gary Kirsten turned up to talk to the media.
"Yesterday, Gary (Kirsten) was sitting here. So definitely, it's not like we're hiding a player. They're part of us," the 49-year-old said as he feels that the support staff is responsible for the defeat as well.
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