News Desk |
A petition which had sought inquiry over the national cricket team’s abysmal performance in the ongoing World Cup was thrown out by the Islamabad High Court after Pakistan defeated South Africa during 2019 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup on June 23.
IHC’s Chief Justice Athar Minallah dismissed the petition filed earlier against the cricket team’s performance in the World Cup.
The petitioner Advocate Bilal Farooq stated the national cricket board was answerable to the nation and the courts and “owing to its present-day precarious operations is causing shame, disrepute and dishonor to the citizens of Pakistan”.
Pakistan will have to win all three of their remaining matches and hope other results go their way in order to make it to the final stages of the tournament.
The petitioner had demanded the formulation of a fact-finding commission over reports of groups being formed in the current World Cup squad and an inquiry against those responsible. He also asked the court to look into the team selection procedure.
When the case was taken up, the petitioner stressed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the selection committee had failed. He prayed the court to allow proceedings against the respondents. While referring to Pakistan’s win over South Africa on Sunday, Justice Minallah dismissed the petition.
Mickey Arthur asks Journalist to Write Something Positive
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Head Coach Mickey Arthur criticized a journalist for asking about Haris Sohail’s fitness after he scored 89 runs from 59 deliveries in a match where Pakistan registered a comfortable win against South Africa during the ICC World Cup after which Islamabad High Court dismissed the petition.
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During a post-match press conference, when the journalist raised a question about the Sohail’s fitness, Arthur said: “You said Haris? Why don’t you write something positive about Haris? He got 89 of 59 balls today. Is that right or did I miss something? Why are you always talking negatively about our players.”
“That today was one of the all-time brilliant innings that I have seen. Let’s just write something positive for a change please,” he said. After a miserable start to the World Cup, Pakistan looked to an early exit from the mega event. However, the World Cup is wide open after Sri Lanka defeated England. Petition was filed because of dismal performance of green shirts but Pakistan made a comeback.
Will Pakistan make it to Finals?
Pakistan cricket team faced a huge backlash from all quarters after a defeat against arch-rivals India. However, Pakistan outclassed South Africa just in time to build momentum in order to progress to the semi-final.
Read more: Pakistan team ‘Alive and kicking’: eyeing unlikely World Cup survival
Pakistan will have to win all three of their remaining matches and hope other results go their way in order to make it to the final stages of the tournament. Men in Green will face New Zealand, Afghanistan and Bangladesh in the coming days.