Ahead of the much-awaited T20 World Cup final between Pakistan and England, the dressing room of Premier League club Crystal Palace is indecisive about their choice of winner, with one player even going ahead and selecting India as his preferred choice for the winner of the competition!
Pakistan and England will meet in the ultimate fixture of the T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on November 13 in a repeat of the 1992 ODI World Cup, which was won by Pakistan.
Crystal Palace has a connection with the Men in Green, having helped Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi recover from his knee injury. He was treated by Zafar Iqbal, who is currently working with the English football club as their head of the Sports Medicine Department. Iqbal has previously worked with Liverpool and Tottenham.
Afridi suffered an injury during a Test match against Sri Lanka in July. He spent two months under the guidance of Iqbal before re-joining the Pakistan side for the T20 World Cup. In a video shared by Crystal Palace, the players and support staff can be seen sharing their views on the eventual winner, extending their support to both Pakistan and England.
While midfielder Eberechi Eze said that he is rooting for Pakistan before changing his mind to England, another midfielder, Will Hughes, went a step ahead to select India as the potential winner!
Forward John-Kymani Gordon showed his support for Pakistan, and goalkeeper Jack Butland said "if we bowl first then England and if not, then close".
Meanwhile, the team's medical staff, who worked closely with Shaheen, said that they are supporting Pakistan. "Hopefully, Pakistan win. Obviously worked closely with Shaheen. Come on Pakistan!" they said.
"Pakistan for Zaf! He helped their man to get fit so we are rooting for Pakistan," another medical staff member said.
Zafar Iqbal wore a Pakistan team jersey, and said, @So everyone thought that Pakistan was down and out but here we are."
Iqbal then used his stethoscope to check the heartbeat of a skeleton and the video ended with Pakistan's song 'Dil Dil Pakistan'.
