A purported private conversation between Pakistan captain Babar Azam and PCB COO Salman Naseer has been leaked on-air, intensifying rumours of a rift in the Pakistan cricket team.
Netizens and ex-cricketers criticize the breach of privacy, branding it unethical to leak the chat of national captain Babar Azam.
They leaked Babar Azam’s private WhatsApp chats?
Pakistani players ko milta kya hai ko unse itni expectations rakhte ho? This is disgusting, he still has three matches to play in this World Cup pic.twitter.com/8eHSG2oygT— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) October 29, 2023
The whole saga commenced when former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif highlighted that the PCB management, including Chairman Zaka Ashraf, COO Salman Naseer, and Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla, allegedly ignored Babar Azam’s messages.
Babar Azam’s Chat Leaked
This controversy gained traction after a screenshot of the alleged WhatsApp chat between Babar Azam and Salman Naseer aired on a private news channel.
The chat reads as follows:
Salman: Babar, there’s also been this news circulating on TV and social media that you have been calling chairman and he’s not answering you. Have you called him recently?
Babar: Salam Salman bhai, Ma ny to sir ko koi call nahi ke [I have not called up sir].
Salman: ok thanks
Azhar Ali, who was guest on the aforementioned news channel show questioned if consent was obtained before divulging the private communication, to which the reporter asserted it wasn’t necessary. This prompted backlash from viewers, deeming the move unethical.
Waseem Badami Apologized
Anchor Waseem Badami expressed regret for the airing, citing a last-minute decision influenced by a video clip reportedly involving PCB chief Zaka Ashraf. He acknowledged the mistake and pledged to learn from it, emphasizing the need for consent in such matters.
My humble thoughts on Babar Azam – Zaka Ashraf issue 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/g7RwamSP54
— Waseem Badami (@WaseemBadami) October 29, 2023
It is important to note that the PCB chief’s purported permission was not relevant here since it involved two private individuals and Zaka Ashraf wasn’t any of them. However, an official statement from the PCB can clear the air around this matter.
While reports swirl about Babar’s potential captaincy replacement post-2023 World Cup, Pakistan’s tournament performance remains lackluster, currently occupying the sixth spot in the points table with four points from six matches. They started with wins but have suffered four consecutive defeats.
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