[Watch] PCB Chief Leaks Babar Azam's WhatsApp Messages On Live TV

image-locg9rybBabar Azam and Zaka Ashraf [X.Com]

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf controversially leaked captain Babar Azam's WhatsApp messages on live television as a means to come out clean amidst accusations of forging a rift with the skipper at the sidelines of the ICC World Cup 2023. 

Speaking on Pakistan-based 'ARY Sports', Ashraf made an ethical breach by laying bare Babar's messages on a public platform without seeking the cricketer's permission, which made it a personal violation. 

The intention was to brush aside outside claims of a rift between the two personalities made by former wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif but it came out looking ugly when the PCB chief went to the extent of sharing Babar's personal WhatsApp messages with him.

Latif had said on 'PTV Sports' that Ashraf has been denying Babar's calls for two consecutive days, leading to miscommunication and distrust between the board and the team while they struggle to keep their semifinal hopes alive at the ongoing World Cup in India. 

PCB Chief Leaks Babar's Personal Messages 

In his defence, Ashraf said Babar had given him no rings which would've been recorded in his phone calls and that all is cordial between the two men since the Pakistan skipper has regularly contacted him instead on WhatsApp. 

"He [Latif] says that I don’t pick up his [Babar’s] call,” Ashraf said. "He’s never given me a call. The chief operating officer or the director of international cricket are expected to speak with the captain of the team."

Ashraf went to the extent of sharing his messages on WhatsApp with Babar to support his defence after Latif's claims created a massive furore in Pakistan. A WhatsApp conversation between PCB chief, Salman Naseer, and Babar Azam was broadcast live on television.

In the conversation, Babar told Nasser:

“Salam Salman bhai, I have not made any call to sir" when he was asked, "Babar, there’s also been news circulating on TV and social media that you have been calling Chairman and he’s not answering. Have you lately given him a call?"

During the program, former cricketer Azhar Ali, who was Babar's teammate, questioned whether the PCB chairman just made an ethical breach by sharing personal messages and wondered if Babar's permission was sought before making them public.