Connect with us

Sports

Babar Azam’s leaked WhatsApp chat ‘irked’ PCB COO

Published

on

The disclosure of captain Babar Azam’s private WhatsApp chat regarding team’s affairs has irked Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Salman Naseer, senior sports journalist Sohail Imran revealed on Thursday.

“PCB COO Salman Naseer is very annoyed that in corporate culture the conversation that was shared between people should have remained between them..,” he said while speaking on Geo Pakistan show.

The PCB COO, the senior journalist said, is also concerned that players would be wary of discussing their matters with him in future amid fears that their private conversations may get leaked.

The journalist shared that the PCB COO is worried over players’ concerns that their private conversation with him might be shared with the PCB chairman or someone else and it ultimately gets leaked to the media.

Journalist Imran said the latest saga has created a trust deficit between the national team players and the PCB COO.

Moreover, according to the journalist, Babar is also annoyed over the leak fearing that his private conversation on sensitive matters may get leaked to the media in future.

Responding to a question about who leaked the conversation, the journalist said everything related to the controversy had come out into the open and the one who leaked it had also accepted responsibility.

Leak controversy

The saga began after an alleged “private” WhatsApp chat between Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and a senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official was aired live on local TV recently.

The leaked conversation lent credence to the reports that senior management of the PCB was ignoring Babar Azam’s messages.

Speaking on state broadcaster PTV Sports, Rashid Latif claimed that the captain has been sending messages to the PCB Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf, Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer and Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla for the last two days, but all three of them are not responding.

The controversy also came under discussion on a private news channel when a screenshot of an alleged WhatsApp chat between the two was aired.

“Babar, there’s also been this news circulating on TV and social media that you have been calling Chairman and he’s not answering. Have you called him recently?”

To which, Babar Azam allegedly replied: “Salam Salman bhai, ma nay to sir ko koi call nai ke [Salam Salman bhai, I have not made any calls to sir].”

“Ok thanks,” the other person responded.

However, there was no mention of the date when the communication took place.

Former Pakistan cricketer, Azhar Ali, who was one of the guests on the show, asked the reporter whether he took Babar’s consent before leaking a private communication.

To which he said, as a reporter, he doesn’t need to ask.

This move didn’t sit well with netizens who blasted the TV channel management and the reporter over their “unethical” move.

Latest News

Shaheen Afridi regains the top position in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings.

Published

on

By

Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi has supplanted South African spinner Keshav Maharaj to ascend to the position of the number one bowler in the most recent International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings, released on Wednesday.

Pakistan, led by newly-appointed captain Mohammad Rizwan, triumphed against Australia in the third ODI by eight wickets in Perth, securing their inaugural series victory in Australia since 2002.

The visitors lost the initial match of the three-match series by two wickets; however, they executed a remarkable comeback to secure the series 2-1.

As a result, Pakistani players achieved notable advancements in the most recent ICC ODI Rankings, with Shaheen Afridi regaining the premier position among bowlers.

Afridi demonstrated his bowling skill against Australia, securing eight wickets in three matches at an impressive average of 12.62, leading to a three-position ascent in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings.

The left-arm bowler has previously occupied the number one position momentarily during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India.

After his ascent, Pakistan currently occupies the first position in both batting and bowling rankings in ODI cricket, with Babar Azam reinforcing his dominance among hitters.

Azam accumulated 80 runs in three innings against Australia, being dismissed only once and hitting the decisive boundary in both of Pakistan’s triumphs.

Haris Rauf, honoured as Player of the Series, ascended 14 positions to attain his career-high 13th rank in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings, with 618 rating points.

The right-arm fast bowler took 10 wickets in the three-match series with an amazing average of 12.00.

Naseem Shah, having claimed five wickets in the series, ascended 14 positions to attain the 55th rank.

Continue Reading

Latest News

PCB questions ICC on India’s reluctance to participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Published

on

By

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) dispatched a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC). It requested clarification on India’s position for participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is set to be hosted in Pakistan.

In a formal correspondence to ICC Chairman Greg Barclay, the PCB solicited information regarding the timing of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s notification to the ICC over its likely withdrawal from the event.

The PCB’s correspondence also seeks to ascertain whether the BCCI has provided an official, written denial to the ICC, detailing the rationale for the Indian cricket team’s possible non-participation. The PCB has requested the ICC to furnish a copy of any formal correspondence from the BCCI elucidating the reasoning behind their position. The PCB intends to meticulously examine these grounds to comprehend the rationale for the decision.

The ICC’s stance regarding India’s involvement

The PCB has urged the ICC to clarify its stance on the BCCI’s refusal to dispatch the team. The PCB requests clarification on the ICC’s intentions regarding the formal acceptance of India’s withdrawal and its implications for the tournament’s structure and schedule.

Strategy of PCB

The PCB has indicated its intention to seek legal counsel in light of the ICC’s statement, while also intending to confer with the Pakistani government to coordinate future steps. PCB authorities assert that should India officially withdraw and the ICC acquiesce to their absence, Pakistan may decline to compete against India in Champions Trophy matches held at any venue outside of Pakistan.

Sources indicate that PCB’s response strategy will be formulated following ICC’s official reply. The scenario underscores potential geopolitical tensions that may affect cricketing relations between the two countries.

Continue Reading

Latest News

“Pakistan ought to follow Sri Lanka’s Champions Trophy strategy from the 1996 World Cup.”

Published

on

By

Former cricket player Basit Ali talked about India’s bid to compete in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and recommended that the PCB use a similar approach to Sri Lanka’s World Cup 1996 strategy.

Although it is unclear if India would compete in the tournament, the ninth Champions Trophy is set to take place in Pakistan during the February–March timeframe in 2025.

The Indian media had reported that Team India will not be traveling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy due to security concerns, citing a source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Furthermore, sources verified on Sunday that the PCB was notified by the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian government has prohibited its cricket team from traveling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

Basit Ali was among the numerous Pakistani players who were upset to hear of India’s rejection. The former batsman said in a video posted on his own YouTube account that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) take a cue from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

For those who are not familiar, Sri Lanka won the World Cup 1996, which was co-hosted by Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka.

But because Australia and the West Indies declined to visit Sri Lanka due to security concerns, the competition was marred with controversy like to that of the Champions Trophy 2025.

While Sri Lanka promised complete security for the squad, Australia and the West Indies stuck to their guns.

Due to a firm stand on both sides, Sri Lanka was given games against Australia and the West Indies on forfeit by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Sri Lanka advanced to the quarterfinals without having to play a match after earning four crucial points.

In a similar vein, Basit Ali asked the PCB to avoid playing India at a neutral location. Additionally, he recommended that Pakistan quit the event if the ICC were to fully change it.

The former batter said, “If India declines to play in Pakistan under a hybrid model, like the 1996 World Cup scenario, PCB should demand points.” “Pakistan ought to receive two points if India chooses not to participate.”

In the event of a hybrid approach, Pakistan, as the host, ought to conduct all of its matches domestically. Additionally, Pakistan ought to decline to take part if the host location changes.

Continue Reading

Trending