• PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf shared Pakistan skipper Babar Azam's WhatsApp chats.

  • Fans heavily slammed Ashraf for his inappropriate behaviour.

ODI World Cup 2023: Fans criticize PCB chief Zaka Ashraf for leaking Babar Azam’s WhatsApp chats
Babar Azam and Zaka Ashraf (Image source: Twitter)

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Tensions within the Pakistan cricket camp have escalated significantly as the alleged divide between Captain Babar Azam and the national cricket board are seemingly expanding. What makes this situation particularly troubling is the unfortunate timing, with these disputes surfacing during the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup 2023.

Amid the mounting speculations that Babar’s captaincy may be in jeopardy due to Pakistan’s lackluster performance in the prestigious tournament, several reports indicated that the 29-year-old attempted to establish communication with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to clarify the situation. Adding to the intrigue, a WhatsApp chat, shared by PCB chief Zaka Ashraf to a notable journalist, quickly went viral on social media, sparking a big controversy.

Zaka Ashraf’s remarks

During an interview, Ashraf addressed the surprising allegations made by former cricketer Rashid Latif, who claimed that Babar, despite his attempts to reach out to the PCB Chief, has not received any answer. Responding to the notable allegations made against him, the 71-year-old clarified that Babar never made any sort of direct contact with him.

“He [Latif] says that I don’t pick up his [Babar’s] call. He has never called me. The team’s captain is supposed to talk with Director International Cricket or the Chief Operating Officer,” Ashraf mentioned during a interview with ARY News.

The curious case of WhatsApp chat

Ashraf made a concerted effort to substantiate his claim by sharing Babar’s personal WhatsApp messages. The journalist, Shoaib Jatt, with whom the chat was shared, broadcasted it on a TV show hosted by Waseem Badami. The conversation that came to light was between Babar and the PCB’s Chief Operating Officer, Salman Naseer.

In this revealed exchange, Naseer’s message reportedly inquired, “Babar, there’s also been news circulating on TV and social media that you have been calling Chairman and he’s not answering. Have you called him recently?”. As per the chat, Babar responded, “Salam Salman bhai, I have not made any call to sir.”

Cricket enthusiasts from around the world have widely criticized the actions of Ashraf, as the act of disclosing private messages is perceived as a breach of privacy.

Also READ: ODI World Cup 2023 – Pakistan captain Babar Azam reveals his three favourite batters

Here’s how fans reacted:

Also READ – ‘The real No.1 is the one who..’: Gautam Gambhir issues bitter remarks on Babar Azam’s performance in ODI World Cup 2023

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CATEGORY: Babar Azam ODI World Cup Pakistan

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About the Author:
AVIRAL SHUKLA
Aviral is a passionate cricket writer with an unbridled love for sports. Armed with a Master's degree in Journalism, Aviral possesses a unique blend of expertise in the realm of cricket and exceptional writing and communication skills.With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the game, Aviral has crafted insightful articles, match analyses, and opinion pieces that resonate with cricket enthusiasts worldwide. His ability to encapsulate the drama, strategy, and emotions of cricket matches in his writing sets him apart in the world of sports journalism.Aviral's dedication to cricket extends beyond his writing; he's always eager to engage with fellow cricket lovers. You can reach out to Aviral at aviral.shukla@crickettimes.com for collaborations, queries, or just to share your thoughts on the game. Additionally, you can connect with him on Twitter via his handle, @aviralcric, where he actively shares his insights, opinions, and the latest updates from the cricketing world.