We will run on empty
From a cue ...to a pew
PLAYING in front of an empty stadium won’t faze Pakistan this summer.
Because it’s what they’ve got used to doing in the UAE for the best part of a decade.
Pakistan arrive in England in July for the second part of an international summer like no other.
Wasim Khan (above), the former Warwickshire opener who is now the chief executive of Pakistan cricket after leaving Leicestershire in 2018, believes the tourists won’t find an empty ground a strange experience.
And it might even give them an advantage against England.
“Ironically, our cricketers have played pretty much their entire international careers in front of no crowds in the UAE,” he said. “For our guys it’s probably not going to be anything new.
“Until a year ago when we started playing slightly more regularly at home, our guys have been enduring empty grounds in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It’s not going to be too much of a culture shock for them walking out in front of empty stadiums in England this summer.
“It will probably be more of a problem for England’s players.”
Pakistan’s players have used the UAE as their base since the attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in December 2009 forced them to use neutral venues to host their international commitments.
Cricket has gradually begun to return to the country, with Pakistan recording their first victory on home soil in 13 years against Sri Lanka back in December. But the full resumption of tours to the country may still be some way off. The situation means the likes of Babar Azam and Azhar Ali have barely made an appearance for their nation in front of the
Pakistan public.
England’s players are used to playing in front of packed stadiums across all three formats, something that is unlikely to be possible this summer as a result of the pandemic.
England named a 55-strong training squad on Friday in preparation for their commitments against the West Indies and Pakistan.
And Khan is increasingly confident that the latter tour will take place – providing the situation remains stable.
Impact
He admits, though, that the players' mental and physical health should receive top billing.
He said: “The biggest thing for any cricketer, whether you’re an English player or playing for
Pakistan, is confidence.
”I really think the psychological impact of this could be huge. Both sides have to feel confident, safe and secure before they can perform at their best.
“The players need to know that it’s as safe as it possibly can be and everything is being looked at – from the biosecure venues to looking at similar set-ups in the hotels and the way the players travel.”
Wasim Khan was speaking to the County Collective. For more visit www.thecounty collective.co.uk
MARK ALLEN has been keeping himself busy doing voluntary work during the coronavirus crisis.
With no professional snooker since February, Allen has been assisting his local church in Antrim with support for vulnerable people in the community.
“There are a lot of people who are struggling out there so I was happy to help,” said world No.5 Allen.
“I delivered groceries and medication to vulnerable people around Antrim. I just had too much time on my own so I wanted to help."
Allen (above) last played at the Players Championship nearly three months ago.
But snooker’s Championship League will return tomorrow behind closed doors in Milton Keynes. And Allen, one of 64 competitors, said: “I’m just desperate for a game of snooker, I’ve missed playing."