Babar Azam did not call me, Zaka Ashraf rejected Rashid Latif’s claim. And provided Babar Azam’s alleged personal whatsapp message as a proof.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf rejected all the claims regarding calls from Babar Azam and non-payment of salaries to the cricketers, saying that the national team captain did not call him, whatever Those making such claims are liars.

Former national team captain Rashid Latif had claimed in PTV Sports program ‘Game On Hai’ that Babar Azam has been sending messages to Chairman PCB for two days but he is not replying.

He said that Chairman PCB is replying to Salman Naseer and Usmanwala but what is the reason why he is not replying to his captain.

In this regard, Zaka Ashraf Rashid Latif, the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee, dismissed the claim as false and said that it could be part of an agenda.

Zaka Ashraf, while giving an interview to sports journalist Shoaib Jutt in ARY News’ program ‘Bouncer’, said that the Pakistani captain never contacted him directly.

He said that Rashid Latif’s statement is wrong, which is regrettable, I think it is also part of an agenda.

He further said that he (Rashid Latif) says that I am not picking up his (Babar Azam’s) phone, Babar has never called me, the team captain can only talk to the Director of International Cricket or the Chief Operating Officer. .’

Shameful act done by @ARYNEWSOFFICIAL by leaking Babar Azam private WhatsApp messages on national tv. I agree on the manager conflict of interest bit but doing this is utter shameful act expected better from Mr Waseem badmi.@WaseemBadamipic.twitter.com/6Y0chDPXjH

— Mustafa (@Mustafasays_) October 29, 2023

On the question of Pakistani team players not getting salary for the last 5 months, Zaka Ashraf said that there is a procedure of the board under which the cricketers sign the central contract, for some reason the players could not sign it before going to India. ‘

He said that now we are sending this contract to India, when the players sign, the money will also reach their account, neither the players are going anywhere, nor the board is going anywhere.

Zaka Ashraf added that the chairman of the previous board had given NOC to the players to play leagues. When the time came for the World Cup, the fitness problems of the players came to the fore. are giving

When asked about the performance of the cricketers in the World Cup and the removal of Babar Azam from the captaincy, the head of the PCB Management Committee said that whatever the results, after the World Cup, cricket experts will consult what is best for Pakistan, Not that Babar Azam is the number 1 batsman, he requested that the players should not be called bad during the event, their morale is down.

He said that ex-players and public are requested to speak positively about cricketers.

Inzamam-ul-Haq had no hand in World Cup team selection.

Regarding Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur’s participation in the meeting before the World Cup via Zoom from England, Zaka Ashraf said that it was Najam Sethi’s decision before me, my decision has not yet been implemented. Two year contracts were given, I could not terminate the contract.

He said that the senior cricketers suggested that the coaches should not be teased as it would harm the team.

Zaka Ashraf said that after the Asia Cup, he had a meeting with the captain, vice-captain, chief selector, coaches, and had a separate meeting with Babar Azam. The team was satisfied with the selection, Hafeez and Misbah suggested Shadab Khan’s form, the captain and coaches asked to keep Shadab in the team.

He said that Inzamam-ul-Haq did not have a hand in the World Cup team selection, our cricket that is going on is not modern day cricket, apart from this, I cannot say anything about friendship in the team, but the fitness and performance of many players is in front.

Zaka Ashraf asked to play Babar Azam’s alleged personal WhatsApp message on the media.
The alleged WhatsApp message of the national team captain was also shared by the TV channel regarding Rashid Latif’s claims and Babar Azam’s phone call to Ashraf.

ARY news leaked Babar Azam’s Whatsapp message

The alleged WhatsApp message aired on the live TV program was between Babar Azam and PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer.

According to the screenshot of the WhatsApp message, Salman Naseer tells Babar Azam that ‘Babar, on TV and social media, the news is circulating that you are calling the chairman and he is not answering, have you called him recently?

To which Babar Azam allegedly replied that ‘Salam Salman Bhai, I did not make any call to Sir’.

It is not clear whether Babar Azam has agreed to share his personal message on live TV or not, as leaking private messages is considered a breach of privacy.

Public Bashes ARY news for sharing babar’s Message without his consent:

During the same programme, former Pakistan cricketer Azhar Ali questioned whether the PCB chief or the TV channel had taken Babar Azam’s consent before telecasting his personal message live.

Later, the host of the said program Wasim Badami shared a video on his social media platform in which he admitted his mistake for broadcasting Babar Azam’s WhatsApp message on the media.

Waseem Badami explained, claiming that he was initially hesitant about broadcasting the WhatsApp message to the media, but since the PCB chief had given him permission to show it on the TV screen, the message was broadcast to the media. It was decided to broadcast.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) admitted the error of the DRS in the match played between Pakistan and South Africa in the World Cup.

Yesterday in Chennai, South Africa defeated Pakistan by one wicket in a must-win match after a thrilling contest. With the help of half-centuries from captain Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel, the national team scored 270 runs in pursuit of the target. The Proteas had an aggressive start but poor umpiring and bad decisions cost Pakistan in the final overs.

In the 46th over, a ball from Haris Rauf, bowled wide outside the crease, caught Shamsi on the pads, and was declared not out by the on-field umpire, who was saved by the umpire’s call on DRS.

After this decision, it sparked a debate in cricket circles and fans around the world, while former cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan and Gautam Gambhir also criticized the decision.

@TinusvS4 Did you see this? DRS shows Rassie is not out and then resets and then shows out? Who's is verifying DRS and how does such mistakes happen? pic.twitter.com/1PjIKkdfvz

— WhatWouldKallisSay (@WhatKallisSaid) October 27, 2023

Another review in the match between the two teams also caused debate on social media, on which the ICC had to give an explanation. On, Osama Mir made a strong appeal, on which umpire Paul Raffle declared him out, but on review, he was declared not out.

The ICC admitted its mistake, stating that the first DRS replay shown was wrong, while the second DRS replay was correct, so van der Dusen was dismissed for 21 runs as Osama Mir. The flipper ball was touching the wickets straight.

It should be noted that the loss against South Africa in the World Cup has almost ended the national team’s World Cup semi-final journey.

Pakistan Squad for world cup 2023 has been announced today with minimal changes to previous one. The chief selector of PCB, Inzimam has claimed that no major changes are done to the previous squad. In the press conference regarding squad announcement for World Cup 2023, Inzimam revealed that Hasan Ali is the best replacement for Injured Naseem Shah, as there is a lack of experience in the team, Hasan Ali is the best option.

Pakistan Squad For World Cup 2023:

The newly announced Pakistan Squad For World Cup 2023 includes;

• MUHAMMAD Rizwan (wk)
• MUHAMMAD Nawaz
• MUHAMMAD WASIM Jr.
• Babar Azam (C)
• Shadab Khan (vc)
• Fakhar Zaman
• Imam ul Haq
• Abdullah Shafique
• Saud Shakeel
• Iftikhar Ahmad
• Salman Ali Agha
• Usama Mir
• Hasan Ali
• Shaheen Afridi
• Zaman Khan
• Haris Rauf
• M.Harris
• Abrar Ahmad

How ever MUHAMMAD HARRIS, Abrar and Zaman Khan are kept under Travelling Reserves.

Journalists opinions on Pakistan Squad for World Cup 2023:

Many sensible sports journalists are encouraging this squad and according to them, the inclusion of Hasan Ali as a replacement of Naseem Shah is the best decision.

The renowned cricket statistician, Mazher Arshad wrote on twitter That Pakistan have picked a sensible Squad. They will be the only team in WC 2023 without any player having 10 years experience of International Cricket. That tells you why they would have wanted some experience in bowling (Hasan Ali).

The only worry is there is no backup keeper in 15 membered Pakistan Squad for world Cup 2023. Haris is in the travelling reserves. He can come in the team only if a player from the original 15 is replaced (Injury, illness or the other genuine reasons). Maybe he should have been in place of a middle-order.

Pakistan have picked a sensible squad. They will be the only team in WC 2023 without any player having 10 years experience of international cricket. That tells you why they'd have wanted some experience in bowling (Hasan Ali).

The only worry is there is no backup keeper in 15.…

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) September 22, 2023

Why Hasan Ali was the best choice as replacement of Naseem Shah:

The same journalist opened up a debate on twitter defending Hasan Ali as a replacement of Naseem Shah with strong arguments. He wrote that

“There has been some debate on Hasan Ali’s comeback in the ODI team for WC 2023. The selection has its pros and cons but is not unmerited. First, we need to understand that he has come in the team as 7th choice (Shaheen, Haris, Wasim are already in the squad while Naseem, Hasnain, Ihsan are injured).

Considering his experience, pedigree and the recent form in white and red ball cricket (which you will read about in the lines below), it will be unfair to think Hasan can’t be in the country’s Top 7 or 8 fast bowlers. Just two months ago, he was in Pakistan’s Test team as well.

Yes, there can be a genuine argument if someone like Zaman Khan, Arshad Iqbal, Aamer Jamal or Shahnawaz Dahani could have been preferred but as Pakistan already have an inexperienced bowler in Wasim Jr. they avoided taking a chance with another rookie.

Going with an experience is not something unusual. In 2019, Wahab Riaz was recalled in the team after two years of absence from ODIs. Not only did he bowl well, he also won a game with a batting cameo. Even Amir was uncertain for WC 2019 cos he was struggling to take wickets for a year but in the World Cup he ended up as Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker.

With Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala out due to injuries, South Africa have also gone with the experience of Andile Phehlukwayo. India are considering Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar to replace Axar Patel. If the similar situation occurred in Pakistan, the most popular name would be the left-arm spinner Nishant Sindhu cos he played in the recent U19 World Cup, was the leading wicket-taker in the Emerging Asia Cup 2023 and has three FC centuries.

One big factor that goes in Hasan’s favour is endurance which comes from his FC experience. Pakistan have some exciting and young fast bowlers but how many of them can survive a 2 months tournament? Shaheen and Haris are unlikely to play all games (they will need some rest). You can’t go in a World Cup XI with 20 overs of Wasim Jr + another rookie.

It’s not that Hasan is picked entirely based on his past performances. Recently he took 24 wickets at 21.58 in the county cricket (first-class).

In PSL this year, which was played on high scoring grounds, he took 13 wickets at 22.84 and bowled with an economy of 9.28. The glaring stat was his bowling in the last five overs in PSL where his economy 8.60 was the best by any bowler.

In T20 Blast 2023, another tournament with high scoring rates, Hasan played 5 matches, took 9 wickets and conceded at just 6.78. The same economy he replicated in LPL and took 8 wickets in 5 matches.

Pakistan fringe players haven’t played much 50 overs cricket recently so to get an idea about their recent form you feel compelled to look into other formats.

Having said that Hasan’s selection is still a big risk but that’s a risk that would have come with the other options too. Zaman does not have enough 50 overs experience and in ODIs you need to have something other than yorkers whereas Arshad has been quite expensive lately with the old ball. Both are young but with a lot of potential and will serve Pakistan in the coming years.

But for a tournament like WC, I think Hasan was a better choice.“

Chief Selector Also spoke about MUHAMMAD Amir’s Selection

In the press press conference regarding Squad announcement, Inzimam ul Haq Openly speaks about Amir’s return to the team. He said that the doors are always open, but any one who wants to play for Pakistan should show his performance in domestic first, then he will be considered. The message was for both Amir and Imad Waseem.

Pakistan’s World Cup Squad 2023 players stats:

MUHAMMAD Rizwan ODI stats: