Indian Origin South African Performance Analyst Prasanna Agoram, Denied Pakistan's visa; Forced To Work From Home

The Quinton de Kock-led South Africa team landed in Pakistan to play their first bilateral series after 14 years recently and even though they have embarked on their journey with a bloated squad, the tourists are without their performance analyst, Prasanna Agoram.

According to a report published in the Indian Express, the Indian origin analyst was denied the visa for Pakistan, and he will now work from home in Bengaluru.

Speaking to the leading daily, the veteran performance analyst, who been working with the Proteas set-up for a long time now, expressed his disappointment at the development besides explaining about he will go about his business, now that he will not be with the team in person.

“I am like a dead man walking. I will do my best from here but yes, this is a big blow for me and for the players in the team who depend on me for the detailed analysis that’s best done from the ground. But we need to understand the protocols in place. I have been told that Lalchand Rajput, former India player who coaches Zimbabwe, couldn’t travel to Pakistan, umpire Aleem Dar is unable to come for work to India and such. So, I am not the only person,” Prasanna Agoram told The Indian Express.

‘I am all set to do ball-by-ball analysis’- Prasanna Agoram

With no modes of communication allowed in the dressing room, the South African players will not be able to receive feedback during the match. The only way Prasanna can communicate is after the end of the day’s play.

”Players who need face-to-face chats – the medium that they prefer- will have Zoom calls and such. Where I can take them through slides, if needed. Or just talk and share. I have a UPS with one-hour back-up. I am all set to do ball-by-ball analysis.” Prasanna Agoram added.

This is not the first time that an Indian origin coach hasn’t travelled to Pakistan for an international assignment. Zimbabwe head coach Lalchand Rajput didn’t travel to the country during the African nation’s white-ball tour last year while in 2019, three Indian coaches, who were working with Bangladesh’s women’s team, also decided against touring the nation.

South Africa will lock horns with Pakistan in a series of two Tests and three T20Is. The tour will kickstart with the Test series with the first Test taking place at the National Stadium in Karachi on January 26.

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