The tight security arrangements have not made life in India easy for the Pakistan World Cup squad, the country's Director of Cricket Mickey Arthur said on Friday. He attributed one part of Pakistan's rough ride to the heightened security around players, news agency PTI reported.
The hotels where the Pakistan contingent stays are on a 24-hour vigil to avoid any untoward incident. According to Mickey Arthur, being largely confined to the hotel rooms has had a negative impact on the Pak cricketers. Lamenting the incapacity of the players to socialise normally, he went on to add the restrictions reminded him of life during the pandemic.
"What has been tough is the fact that we've been under a massive amount of security. And to be fair, I found it difficult. It's almost like we've been back in the COVID times, where you were almost secluded to your floor and your team room. So much so that their breakfast is in a separate room to everybody else," Arthur was quoted as saying to the press in Bengaluru.
Pakistan, who have lost four of their seven matches, need to win their remaining two games, including the one against New Zealand here on Saturday and also hope that a few other results go in their favour to stay alive in the semifinal race.
"Our boys are used to being on the road. But when they're on the road, they've still been able to get out and have meals at different places, and get out on their own accord, and we haven't been able to do this time. That's been tough and stifling," he added.
The tight security cover was expected for the Pakistan team in India, given the history and diplomatic tension between the two nations.
