Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi didn’t hold back as he publicly criticized Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf during a live TV broadcast. The outburst came following the controversy surrounding leaked personal chats between Babar Azam and PCB’s Chief Operating Officer, Salman Naseer.
Pakistan’s cricket campaign in the ICC World Cup 2023 took a hit as they suffered four consecutive losses, leading to rumors of Babar Azam’s potential removal as captain. PCB’s responses to the situation only fueled the speculation that all is not well within Pakistan cricket.
The situation escalated when former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif claimed that Pakistan cricketers had not been paid for five months, and Babar’s attempts to reach out to PCB went unanswered.
ARY News, a Pakistani news channel, further heightened the controversy by airing a screenshot allegedly between Babar Azam and Naseer, in which Naseer inquired if Babar had tried to contact PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf.
Former Pakistan cricketers, including Waqar Younis and Shahid Afridi, expressed their disapproval of the leak, with Afridi condemning the act as a shameful move that defamed the nation and its players.
During a live TV show on SAMAA TV, Afridi questioned Zaka Ashraf’s role as PCB Chairman, stating, “Zaka Ashraf sahab kisi club k chairman nahi hai. Woh PCB ke chairman hai” (Zaka Ashraf is not running a club; he’s the chairman of PCB). Shahid Afridi advised Ashraf to focus on his responsibilities, address team issues, and avoid making frequent statements to the media, emphasizing that by doing his job effectively, he could mitigate criticism.
The controversy took another twist when ARY News anchor Waseem Badami revealed that Zaka Ashraf had provided them with the screenshot of Babar’s alleged personal chat, suggesting that the Chairman himself was involved in its public disclosure.
This incident has further raised questions about the internal dynamics and leadership within the Pakistan Cricket Board. As Pakistan’s cricket team continues to compete in the ICC World Cup, these off-field controversies could impact their performance and undermine team unity.
For more updates stay tuned to FELA News!
