(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] The hopes of Pakistan for the 2023 World Cup are on the line, but the real game is being played in the boardroom as Zaka Ashraf, the chairman of the PCB, allegedly leaked captain Babar Azam’s private WhatsApp chats.
The Men in Green, who have displayed a pathetic performance in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, are on the precipice of being eliminated from the tournament as the side led by Babar has won only two out of their six matches.
Speculation has arisen that Babar might be removed from the leadership post due to his team’s disappointing performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Some reports have suggested that Babar attempted to contact the PCB chairman. The former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif alleged that Ashraf is disregarding Babar’s efforts to communicate with him.
“In the Pakistani media, many things are happening. Perhaps they are false news. I will provide you with the true news, which was kept on hold. Babar Azam has been trying to contact the chairman for the past two days, but they are not responding. He is messaging Salman Naseer (Chief Operating Officer), and he is messaging Usman Walha (Director of International Cricket),” Latif said in an interview.
In a sudden turn of events, it has now been revealed that Ashraf disclosed Babar’s private WhatsApp conversation with PCB COO Salman Naseer on national television. In this chat, Babar purportedly stated that he had never made an attempt to contact the PCB chairman. A screenshot of this conversation was showcased during a live talk show in Pakistan.
Responding to the statement made by Latif, Ashraf denied the allegation that he did not pick up Babar’s phone calls.
“He [Latif] says that I don’t pick up his [Babar’s] call. He’s never given me a call. The chief operating officer or the director of international cricket are expected to speak with the captain of the team,” Ashraf said during an interview with a local Pakistani news channel.