Even psychiatrist can’t help Pakistan, ‘lack of education…’: Ex-PCB chief trolls team

Former Pakistan Cricket Board chief Najim Sethi has claimed that bringing in a psychiatrist won’t change things for the team overnight. His remarks come after reports on Saturday claimed that the PCB had hired a professional to help with the players’ mental health before the IND vs PAK clash. Sethi explained why a psychiatrist won’t be of any use for Pakistan, pointing out at various factors ranging from taboo to the education of the players.

No psychiatrist can help Pakistan

Speaking to Saama TV, Sethi explained that he had tried the same strategy for the Pakistan team during his tenure as PCB chief and that it had failed. The ex-PCB chairman pointed out that therapy was misunderstood in their culture as a sign of weakness or madness. He said that most mental health experts were foreign qualified and could communicate only in English which the Pakistan players couldn’t understand

“But the most interesting factor here is, many of these experts are foreign-qualified. They communicate in English which isn’t the language of our boys. They are required to be told in Urdu or Pashto. Their backgrounds, their class, and the lack of proper education is another issue. Psychiatrist bhi raato raat unko kuch nahi seekha sakta,” Sethi said.

As per reports, Rahil Kareem is the psychiatrist who has been added to the team management to help the players. Pakistan have been embroiled in controversy since September 14 when the Indian team refused to shake hands with them. Since then, the players would have naturally been affected by what has been going on outside the field – the battle between PCB and the ICC over the Andy Pycroft issue and the handshake row. After being beaten by India on September 14, Pakistan will lock horns with India for the second time on Sunday in the Super 4 tie in Dubai.