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Babar Azam explains reason behind hoisting Pakistan flag in Mirpur during practice

Pakistan are currently touring Bangladesh for a three-match T20I series and a two-match Test series. It’s the first time they are touring Bangladesh in six years. But an incident created controversy even before the commencement of the series. 

The Pakistan team management on Thursday said that hoisting the country’s flag during training sessions is something that was introduced by interim head coach Saqlain Mushtaq.

The visiting team’s decision to hoist its national flag in the Mirpur ground here on Tuesday during a practice session has created a huge controversy ahead of the three-match T20 series with many Bangladeshi fans taking the move as a political message ahead of the golden jubilee celebrations of the nation’s independence.

“It is nothing new for us. It is part of the coaching philosophy of Saqlain Mushtaq since he joined the team. He feels by putting up the flag it serves as an inspiration and motivation for the players,” the media manager said during a media interaction held by Pakistani captain Babar Azam.

The manager noted that the Pakistan flag had been used during training sessions regularly since Saqlain took charge. It had happened during the home series preparations against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup.

Soon after the controversy came to light, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) got into damage control and said they started the practice of putting up the national flag during practice sessions two months ago.

Babar Azam, the Pakistan skipper, was also asked about that. In reply, he said, “As we said earlier, ever since Saqlain Mushtaq took over, we have been doing this. It serves as an inspiration for us. We did it in the New Zealand series and in the World Cup.”

The first T20I between Bangladesh and Pakistan will begin on 19 November.

 

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