The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a major development, is all set to be implementing a strict policy, where Pakistani cricketers found sleeping in the dressing room during match hours will bear the brunt of $500 penalty.
As reported by Geo News, PCB will be bringing out this plan as they are placing a high emphasis on team discipline. To enforce this, players will be under constant observation during match hours, and they will be prohibited from taking naps in the dressing room when not actively participating in a match.
"The players have been warned and informed about the development. It is done on the instructions of Team Director Mohammad Hafeez," the source said, as reported by Geo News.
Sources in the know of development also indicated that under the former management, Pakistani cricketers were not subject to penalties for sleeping during match hours in the dressing room. However, with the advent of new management, the players have been notified that this former practice is no longer permissible. Any player found breaching this new code of conduct will be liable for a $500 fine.
Following Pakistan's failure to advance to the knockout stages of the ODI World Cup 2023 last month, PCB management and team's support staff underwent a major revamp. Hafeez succeeded Mickey Arthur as the Team Director post after the conclusion of ODI World Cup 2023. The batting coach role, previously held by Andrew Puttick, was taken over by Adam Hollioake. Morne Morkel, the previous bowling coach, was replaced after the World Cup, with Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal stepping in as the new fast-bowling and spin-bowling coaches, respectively. Babar Azam too stepped down as Pakistan's captain which saw the appointments of Shan Masood and Shaheen Shah Afridi taking the reins of Tests and T20Is respectively.
Shan Masood-led Pakistan are currently playing their second Test of their three-match series in Melbourne against Australia. They suffered a loss in the first match in Perth, and the third Test is scheduled to take place in Sydney starting January 3.
Talking about the second Test, on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia seized control thanks to a stellar partnership between Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh. This crucial stand of 153 runs came at a pivotal moment, rescuing Australia from a precarious position at 16/4 and propelling their lead to 230 runs on a dynamic and eventful day.
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