A news channel allegedly leaked Pakistan captain Babar Azam's Whatsapp chats with PCB COO Salman Naseer, further compounding Pakistan's miseries during a tournament of lows.
Just when Pakistan and Babar Azam seemed to have gained momentum toward one final desperate push for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 knockouts, the latter's leaked chats have thrown the team in turmoil. Babar's alleged Whatsapp conversation with the Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer were revealed to the nation by local news, with both the player and the channel earning the ire of the fans. (Photos | Points Table | Full Coverage)
The contents of the alleged leaked chats revealed Babar in the spotlight, quizzed by the PCB COO about whether or not he had been calling the chairman amid rumours circulating the Pakistan camp regarding a plethora of topics.
"Babar, there's also been this news circulating on TV and social media that you have been calling the chairman and he's not answering. Have you called him recently," said Salman Naseer, as per the leaked chats. Babar replied: "Salam Salman bhai! Maine toh sir ko call nahi kara (Greetings Salman! I did not make any such calls to sir)".
Pakistan's tumult began with a string of four losses in a row that left the team staring at an early elimination from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 despite racing out of the blocks with wins in their opening two matches. Babar's captaincy and leadership came into question during the spell, not helped by the PCB releasing a statement claiming that they would decide the team's future with the best interests of the country's cricket in mind.
Pakistan, however, steadied the ship, albeit slightly, with a crucial win against Bangladesh in their seventh game of the tournament. The Men in Green won by seven wickets, moving a point below Australia and New Zealand, who each have a game in hand.