Controversy erupts as Babar Azam's WhatsApp messages leaks

Lahore: In recent days, a major controversy has erupted regarding the leakage of personal WhatsApp messages involving the national cricket team captain, Babar Azam.

This issue has garnered widespread attention in both the media and on social platforms.

The matter unfolded when former national team wicketkeeper Rashid Latif claimed on a national television show that Babar Azam had been sending messages to Chairman PCB Zaka Ashraf, CEO Salman Naseer, and Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla, but the cricket board's top officials were allegedly ignoring them.

However, Zaka Ashraf refuted Rashid Latif's statement in an interview with a private TV channel, expressing his regret over the claims.

Zaka Ashraf clarified that Babar Azam had never attempted to contact him directly.

He emphasized that if Babar Azam had been trying to reach out, the team captain could have contacted the Director of International Cricket or the CEO instead.

During the same interview, Zaka Ashraf displayed a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation between Babar Azam and CEO Salman Naseer, which was subsequently broadcast on television.

The message in question showed Salman Naseer inquiring about the media reports suggesting that Babar Azam had attempted to contact Zaka Ashraf but received no response.

Babar Azam's response in the chat was, "Salman brother, I have not made any call to Sir (Zaka Ashraf)."

The Chairman of PCB has faced significant backlash on social media for sharing Babar Azam's personal message during a televised program.

This has raised questions regarding whether the team captain was informed and had given permission before his private message was publicly disclosed.

Azhar Ali, a former captain of the national cricket team, also raised similar concerns during a private TV program.

He questioned whether Chairman PCB or the show's production team had sought Babar Azam's consent before broadcasting the message.

Subsequently, the host of the private TV program that exposed the chat between Babar Azam and Salman Naseer took to social media to provide a detailed explanation of the situation.

The host mentioned that they had initially decided not to broadcast the WhatsApp chat.

However, they were compelled to do so when Chairman PCB, during the live show, stated, "I am giving you this message; play it." In response to this directive, the message was shared on TV.

The host expressed regret for the decision, apologized for any inconvenience caused, and assured greater caution in the future.