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'Playing for Pakistan Is..', Head Coach Grant Bradburn Dismisses Non-Payment Controversy

image-lod4sl80Pakistan players aren't paid for 5 months [AP]

Despite the swirling rumours of non-payment for a five-month duration, the Pakistan team remains firm in their commitment to the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023. 

With the looming risk of a group-stage exit, Pakistan needs a victory over Bangladesh on Tuesday to keep their diminishing semi-final dreams alive.

Pakistan players unfazed by non-payment controversy: Bradburn

The team has faced not only losses on the field – four defeats in their last six matches – but also off-field challenges including payment controversies and delays in central contract agreements.

However, addressing the concerns, Pakistan head coach Grant Bradburn has stated that representing Pakistan is an immense honour. He conveyed that their primary goal is to perform at their best and meet the lofty expectations, hoping to make their country proud.

"In terms of the noise around the team, look, playing for Pakistan and working within this team is a huge privilege. To prepare ourselves and give our best are the things that we focus on, the things within our control and there are great expectations and we're desperate to make our nation proud.," said Bradburn.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also stepped in to clarify the situation. They stated that contracts have been forwarded to India and have been duly signed by the players.

This, according to PCB, should set the course for the subsequent processing of the payments.

Furthermore, Bradburn voiced the team's sentiments, acknowledging the team's current underwhelming position in the tournament and their undesirable net run-rate of -0.38. He expressed the team's collective feeling of disappointment over not being in control of their World Cup journey as they had hoped.

Despite the setbacks, the New Zealand-based coach highlighted the team's resolve to focus on their upcoming matches, with the aim of giving themselves a fighting chance in the tournament.

"We're in a position that we didn't want to be. We were determined at this stage of the tournament to be in control of our destiny but we're not. That hurts the group and all we can do now is control what we can control, and that is prepare well for three remaining pool games and then allow fate to be hopefully leaning on us in terms of our semi-final hopes from there,” added the 57-year-old.