The national cricket team captain, Babar Azam, has found himself at the center of a media and social media storm after the leak of his personal WhatsApp messages. The controversy began when former wicketkeeper of the national team, Rashid Latif, claimed on a talk show that Babar Azam had been trying to reach out to Chairman PCB Management Committee Zaka Ashraf, CEO Salman Naseer, and Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla, but received no response from the board members.
In an exclusive interview with a private TV channel, Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of PCB Management Committee, vehemently denied Rashid Latif’s claims and expressed regret over the allegations. Ashraf stated that Babar Azam had never made any direct contact with him, countering Rashid Latif’s assertion that the team captain had tried to reach out to the CEO, director of international cricket, or himself.
During the televised interview, Chairman PCB presented a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation between Babar Azam and CEO Salman Naseer, which raised further eyebrows. In the WhatsApp exchange, Naseer asked Babar Azam about media reports stating that he had tried to call Zaka Ashraf but was unsuccessful. In response, Babar Azam was quoted saying, “Salman brother, I have not made any call to Sir, i.e., Zaka Ashraf.”
Chairman PCB’s decision to share this personal message during a TV program drew sharp criticism from former captain Azhar Ali and numerous social media users. Many have questioned whether Zaka Ashraf had sought Babar Azam’s permission to disclose the private message to the public.
Subsequently, the host of the private TV program, who aired the WhatsApp screenshot, took to social media to clarify the situation. The host stated that they had obtained permission from Zaka Ashraf before sharing the WhatsApp conversation, attempting to address concerns about privacy and consent surrounding the controversial leak.
The controversy surrounding the WhatsApp message leak continues to make waves in both traditional and social media, as cricket enthusiasts and the public await further developments in this unfolding drama.
