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Pakistan hire psychologist ahead of World Twenty20

Pakistan have decided to hire a motivational psychologist to help their players cope with pressure and perform well in the World Twenty20 next month

Cricinfo staff
12-May-2009
Following the lead of teams like Australia, India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan have decided to hire a motivational psychologist to help their players cope with pressure and perform well in the World Twenty20 next month.
The PCB has employed sports psychologist Maqbool Babri, who will start working with the players at their conditioning camp starting at the hill station Bhurban on May 14.
"The idea is to improve the mental toughness of players and their ability to not crack under pressure," Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam told PTI. "Nowadays every top sportsmen and women has a sports psychologist to help them through pressure situations and in big tournaments.
"Myself and (captain) Younis Khan thought it would be a good idea to get a psychologist to work with the players and improve their self-belief and get rid of the fear of failing in big matches."
Pakistan, who lost in the final of the inaugural World Twenty20, are grouped with hosts England and Netherlands in this year's tournament, which kicks off on June 5.