Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad is in a fix how to deal with their new operational manager. It is because the manager is the first-ever lady appointed with the men's team in a religious environment where man doesn't mingle with woman.
The lady is Hina Munawar whose rise is by leaps and bounds. Her latest appoint as men’s team operations manager has raised serious concerns within the Pakistan national team as there are mumur on how can a woman be in the men's ranks. A woman physio, media manager or in a coaching capacity is very common in the ranks of teams like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England but there is no such precedence in Pakistan.
Sources told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) certain players who are religious and do not interact with women are perturbed with the latest appointment.
Skipper Mohammad Rizwan and most players from the Khybe Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) does not even look at woman if they are giving post-match interview during international matches. So, it’s a tricky situation for them during the Champions trophy.
Earlier this year Ms. Munawar – who is considered an expert on security – was appointed security manager for Pakistan women’s team. She was drafted on the post after three women’s cricketers – then skipper Bismah Maroof and Ghulam Fatima – breached protocols to go out for a cup of coffee and on their way suffered an accident. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi ordered an inquiry. Later, Bismah retired from international cricket and this incident was one of the reasons for her sudden retirement.
After praise from the women’s team officials, Ms Munawar was promoted as manager of the women’s cricket team.
She doesn’t know much about cricket but is equipped with a good sense of what security demands:
Pakistan squad has started its preparation for a tri-series which starts from February 8 and precedes the Champions Trophy but Ms Munawar has still not joined. It remains to be seen how the players adjust to this new appointment.
