'Bhai kya karne aa rahe' - Fans react to reports of Pakistan mulling sending psychologists with ODI World Cup squad to India

Pakistan (Source: Twitter)

Pakistan are leaving no stone unturned to make a significant impact in the ODI World Cup 2023 scheduled to be held in India from October 5 to November 19. The pressure on the players will be immense during the mega event's high-profile matches, and they may also need mental assistance to perform well. According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering sending a psychologist to India with the World Cup squad.

One of the main reasons for including a psychologist as mentioned in the Cricket Pakistan report is the inexperience of most of the current players in playing cricket in India. India vs Pakistan match is always a blockbuster event and if it is in a World Cup, the media hype and public expectations will be very high which will put extra pressure on the players and affect their performance negatively.

PCB believes that mental fitness is as important as physical fitness as it helps the players to maintain their composure during big matches and crucial moments. The board is exploring various ways to include a highly qualified psychologist before the team leaves for India for the 50-over competition.

"Serious consideration is being given to appointing a psychologist. He will accompany the squad to the neighbouring country and help boost the players’ morale during crucial moments, protecting them from any fears,” the report said.

Pakistan has benefited from sports psychologists in the past

A decision on the inclusion of the psychologist will be taken only after a meeting between PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf and captain Babar Azam. The right-handed batter is currently playing for Colombo Strikers in the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

PCB is likely to rope in sports psychologists as it has done well in the past for the team. During a bilateral white-ball series tour to India in 2012, Maqbool Babri served as the sports psychologist for the Pakistan cricket team. They won the ODI series 2-1 and  T20I series in a 1-1 draw.

Here's how fans reacted to reports of the PCB considering including a psychologist in the ODI World Cup squad:

They will need it most after losing from India as Pak never won against India in ODI World Cup.

— Shubman Gang (@ShubmanGang) August 5, 2023

Bahut zaruri hai bhai inke liye 🤫

— Abhinav Singh (@ProteinEnforcer) August 5, 2023

They want special security, special therapists and psychologists..bhai kya karne aa rahe?

Aus NZ England come with lesser shenanigans and achieve better results

— vaibhav sharma (@SharmaBits) August 5, 2023

Still no one can stop this superhuman pic.twitter.com/jkV9FDc2gL

— Ash (@Ashsay_) August 5, 2023

They would need one after losing again to India.

— Dr Nikhil Jain | SEBI RA (@iamMarketWiz) August 5, 2023

Good Decision as the conditions in india are complete horrifying

— UMAR (@rizzzzzzzzx) August 5, 2023

Agar sirf psycho hi lekar Jana hai toh shoaib akhtar ko leke jaao

— Saurabh Desai (@sau_desai) August 5, 2023

Ha ha Haarne ke baad psychology toh hil hi jayegi 👍

— बागड़ बिल्ला 😹 X (@BillaNo9211) August 5, 2023

good to cope the trauma and stress of group stage exit.

— Aftab. (@aftab_cena) August 5, 2023