The aftermath of Pakistan’s campaign in the 2023 World Cup has seen star cricketer Babar Azam embroiled in controversy and, subsequently, making a significant decision regarding his captaincy. Reports suggest that Azam is contemplating legal action against those responsible for leaking his private conversation with a senior official from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) last month. This controversy has further intensified with Azam’s decision to step down as Pakistan’s captain in all formats.
The controversy erupted when former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif claimed that Babar Azam had fallen out of favour with some senior PCB officials. Allegations were made that PCB officials, including CEO Zaka Ashraf, were unresponsive to Azam’s calls and messages. In response to these claims, Ashraf shared a WhatsApp conversation between Azam and PCB’s Chief Operating Officer, Salman Naseer, with a sports journalist.
The leaked chat showed Naseer questioning Azam about rumours surrounding unsuccessful attempts to contact the chairman. Azam, in response, dismissed all the rumours. However, the controversy escalated when a Pakistani news channel aired a screenshot of the chat, allegedly with permission from Ashraf. The PCB distanced itself from the controversy, stating that it was not involved in the leak.
Babar Azam is reportedly not willing to let the matter slide and is considering legal action against those responsible for the breach of his privacy. According to reports from Cricket Pakistan, Azam engaged in consultations regarding the possibility of legal action before he met with the PCB head at Lahore’s National Cricket Academy (NCA).
In a surprising turn of events, Babar Azam announced his decision to step down as Pakistan’s captain in all formats. This decision follows Pakistan’s underwhelming performance in the World Cup, where they finished in the fifth spot with 4 wins and 5 losses, missing out on the semifinal spot for the third consecutive time.
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“Today, I am stepping down as the captain of Pakistan in all formats. It’s a difficult decision, but I feel it is the right time for this call. I will continue to represent Pakistan as a player in all three formats. I am here to support the new captain and the team with my experience and dedication. I want to express my sincere thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board for entrusting me with this significant responsibility,” said Babar Azam.
The dual developments of Babar Azam contemplating legal action and resigning from captaincy have added a layer of complexity to the aftermath of Pakistan’s World Cup campaign. The controversy surrounding the leaked WhatsApp chat has not only affected Azam’s reputation but has also led to significant decisions that could shape the future dynamics of Pakistan cricket.
