Controversies land Pakistan on a sticky wicket
Cricket
PCB is no stranger to controversies
By Anees-ur-Rehman
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is no stranger to controversies. It has had a history of ‘dubious’ happenings over the years. These issues range from leadership instability and allegations of nepotism to conflict of interest, and governance problems.
Inzamam steps down as chief selector
Recently, a series of controversies hit the PCB and it all started when Inzamamul Haq stepped down as chief selector after allegations of conflict of interest emerged in the middle of the world cup being played in India.
The resignation of Inzamam raised many eyebrows as the development came at a time when the national team is struggling to qualify for the semi-final of the world cup.
Has Inzamam been asked to step down or he voluntarily decided to resign from one of the coveted slots in PCB? Time will tell.
The former chief selector took the bold decision after PCB constituted a fact-finding committee to probe the conflict of interest allegations against the former star batsman.
It was Inzamam who actually asked for the inquiry after his impartiality was questioned because of his alleged stakes in a player management company that represents several national players, including captain Babar Azam.
“If the committee finds me not guilty, I will resume my role as the chief selector,” said Inzamam.
The PCB, in a statement, appreciated and acknowledged Inzamam’s decision to voluntarily step down during the course of investigation.
Rashid Latif’s allegations
Another controversy erupted when former captain Rashid Latif claimed that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf (and other senior functionaries) stopped receiving calls and text messages of captain Babar Azam, which triggered a debate on social media.
"I know for a fact that Babar has got no response from the chairman (Zaka Ashraf) when he called and messaged from India," Latif claimed on the state-run PTV Sports channel.
Zaka Ashraf’s clarification
Responding to Latif’s allegations, Zaka Ashraf, in an interview with a local news channel, denied the accusation. He said the team's captain had never directly contacted him.
Ashraf claimed Babar did not call him and that “there is a proper protocol of communication at this level.”
“The team captain should communicate with the director of international cricket and the chief operating officer,” Ashraf added.
Ashraf further said, “I think, it is also part of the game and I feel pity about Latif’s claims. I constituted a technical committee under the supervision of Misbahul Haq and several former cricketers were invited there including Latif and Mohammad Hafeez.”
Babar’s WhatsApp chat leaked
Later, another controversy gripped the Pakistan cricket when a journalist of private news channel leaked the WhatsApp chat of Babar Azam, involving a PCB official.
Netizens and former cricketers expressed outrage over the airing of a private WhatsApp conversation between Babar Azam and a senior PCB official, deeming it a breach of privacy and an unethical act.
The controversy was also discussed at a private news channel where an alleged WhatsApp chat screenshot between the two was shown. The conversation implied that Babar Azam had not been making calls to the PBC chief, contradicting Rashid Latif’s claims.
Waqar and Afridi support Babar
The entire saga did not go down well with netizens, including former captain Waqar Younis, who is currently in India for the commentary job.
Waqar said that instead of adding fuel to fire, one should treasure the “asset” of Pakistan cricket.
Sharing his two cents, Afridi said, “It is a shameful move. We are defaming our nation ourselves. We are defaming our players ourselves. How can you leak someone’s private messages, that too of captain Babar Azam? Earlier, it was being said that the chairman was called a few times,” he added.
Anchor seeks apology
After receiving severe backlash from the public, the show’s anchor, Waseem Badami, subsequently tendered an apology on behalf of his team and the TV management. He explained that the decision to air the WhatsApp chat had been taken in haste just minutes before the show.
Hafeez defends Zaka
Commenting on the controversy, former all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez said Zaka Ashraf had allowed captain Babar Azam to take decisions without any pressure.
In a video message, ‘the professor’ said Babar Azam and the team management were given a “free hand” to take decisions for the Asia Cup and the World Cup.
“I am talking about this matter because I was there on this occasion. I knew what had happened. If there is a bad performance, there should be no need for drifting,” Hafeez concluded.
Rashid Latif serves legal notice on PJ Mir
In another development, Rashid Latif served a legal notice on cricketer-turned-anchor Parvez Jamil Mir for accusing him of slapping legendary Javed Miandad in 1993.
Anchoring a live show on a private TV channel, Mir claimed that Latif had slapped Miandad in a dressing room fall-out during Pakistan’s 1993 tour of the West Indies.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) to debunk Mir’s allegations, Latif said, “I never slapped or even raised my voice in front of legendary Javed Miandad.”
Latif issued a legal notice demanding an unconditional apology from Mir within 14 days, failing which he will have to pay Rs1 billion.
Latif said, “Miandad is an institution of cricket whom he has always held in high regard. Javed bhai is not only a legend of Cricket (an ICC Hall of Famer), he is a national hero and pride of Pakistan. I was honoured to debut for Pakistan under his captaincy. I have learnt a lot from him. I respect him like a father.”
— Rashid Latif | (@iRashidLatif68) November 1, 2023
