KARACHI: Many Pakistani cricket stars have married recently. It has generated a lot of talks among cricket fans about their favourite players’ on-field performance following their marriages.
Both reviewers and fans have noted that the performances of players including Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, and Imam-ul Haq are not as good as they once were.
Ramiz Raja, former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, contends that the stars are to blame. The former cricketer said, “I have never once taken my wife on a cricket tour.” It’s simple to assert that a common misconception about Pakistani cricket players is that if a player’s output declines, their marriage is to blame.
Ramiz, though, begs to differ. The former cricket player talked about the common occurrence and stated that players’ decisions should be closely examined rather than the poor wives being to blame.
He underlined that when cricket players travel for competitions, they typically bring their families along. The players’ focus is diverted and their performances suffer as a result of having to balance their families with their demanding occupations, both emotionally and physically.
Talking about how he personally navigated his married life amid a career in cricket, Ramiz stated that accompanying his wife on such important events would have detracted his focus. “Even she (my wife) would have suffered. You see, now I do commentary so there’s no pressure but still you have to wake up early, spend all day out. Then you return in the evening, there’s no telling if you would be caught in some mood swing,” he explained.
“There’s a lot of pressure when you’re playing cricket…you drop two catches, lose a match then return home to change your child’s nappy, then put him in a pram for a visit to McDonald’s, your wife will want to buy a sweater on the way. Now tell me, how is your mood going to stay okay?” Ramiz posed.
The former cricketer suggested that instead of bringing their families during tournaments, players should extend their stay and spend time with their families afterward. “Spend a week after your tour then you may vacation and spend lovey-dovey time as much as you want,” he offered.
