Pakistan cricket team is going through a tough time, both on and off the field. With just 2 wins in their 6 matchs they got only 4 points and a negative Net Run Rate (NRR) -0.387, they are currently holding the 7th position on the points table. If any miracle happens, then Pakistan can qualify for the semi-finals. Otherwise their dreams of winnig the ICC Cricket World cup 2023 are almost over. Now In a surprising turn of events, a leaked WhatsApp chats of captain Babar Azam have stirred controversy within the Pakistan cricket camp. The relationship between captain Babar Azam and the cricket board is not looking so good.
PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf revealed a private WhatsApp conversation between Babar Azam and PCB’s Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer on live TV. Incidents started a few days ago. There were reports that Zaka Ashraf, the PCB chairman, was not responding to Pak Captain Babar Azam’s calls and text messages. As a reply to these reports, a step was taken by the PCB, by revealing a private WhatsApp conversation between Babar Azam and PCB’s Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer, which has now faced heavy criticism.
On this controversy, former pak cricketers Waqar Younis and Shahid Afridi slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board and Chairman. Afridi said, “I saw Rashid Latif reporting that there is a tiff between Babar Azam and Zaka Ashraf. To counter those reports in this way was uncalled for. Why did Shoaib Jatt bring it up? Did the chairman ask him to do so?” He said, “It is a pathetic move. If it has been done by PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf, then it is very sad. How can you leak someone’s private messages, that too of captain Babar Azam. It is the board that is defaming our players.” Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis reacted angrily. He tweeted on his X account, “Ya kya Karna ki koshish kar raha ho aap loog? This is pathetic!! Khush ho gaya aap loog. Please leave Babar Azam alone. He’s an asset of Pakistan Cricket.”
Now the controversy adds a layer of complexity to Pakistan’s performance in the ongoing World Cup. There are speculations circulating about the potential removal of Babar Azam as captain following the team’s subpar performance. On Tuesday, Pakistan cricket is facing Bangladesh at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.