Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam is facing scrutiny both on and off the field. Following his team’s poor performance in the Cricket World Cup 2023, Babar found himself in the spotlight when his alleged personal WhatsApp chats were leaked in the Pakistani media. This incident has caused quite a stir on social media, with legendary cricketer Waqar Younis criticizing the act and former captain Shahid Afridi calling it “shameful”.
Amidst rumors that Babar Azam was unable to reach Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Zaka Ashraf, a Pakistani news channel shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp chat supposedly from the captain. The conversation implied that Babar had not made any attempt to contact the PCB chairman.
While the details of the interaction between Zaka Ashraf and Babar Azam remain private, Shahid Afridi expressed his anger over the leak of the Pakistan captain’s alleged personal WhatsApp chat. Speaking on SAMAA TV, Afridi condemned the move, stating, “It is a shameful act. We are defaming our nation and our players ourselves. How can you leak someone’s private messages, especially those of Captain Babar Azam? Earlier, it was mentioned that the chairman was called a few times.”
Afridi also questioned the motivation behind the leak, suggesting that it may have been an attempt to counter reports of a conflict between Babar and Zaka Ashraf. He criticized the manner in which the leak occurred and questioned whether the chairman had instructed journalist Shoaib Jatt to do so. Afridi concluded by labeling the act as “pathetic,” regardless of who was responsible.
Former Pakistani spin great Mushtaq Ahmed also chimed in, remarking that Babar Azam will remember those who supported him during this difficult period and those who did not. He stressed the importance of maintaining criticism based on performance rather than making it personal.
This incident has raised concerns about privacy and respect for players in Pakistan’s cricket fraternity. The leak of personal messages not only tarnishes the players’ reputation but also reflects poorly on the nation as a whole.
