Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee chairperson Zaka
Ashraf has stirred another controversy amid the Pakistan team’s visit to Bharat
for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, starting from October 5.
In a video that is viral on social media, Zaka was heard talking
about players going to “dushman mulk” (enemy country) for tournaments, while he
was addressing the media about PCB’s new contracts for players. His remark was allegedly
targeted at Bharat.
In the viral video, Ashraf said, “We gave these contracts to our
players with love and affection. Never in the history of Pakistan, have such an
amount of money been given to players. My aim was to keep the players’ morale
high as they go to countries, the enemy country (Dushman Mulk) for
competitions.”
These remarks made by Zaka Ashraf amid the warm reception received
by Pakistan’s players in Bharat at Hyderabad ahead of the tournament have drawn
the ire of both Indian and Pakistan cricket fans, with many expressing their
anger against Zaka’s statements on social media. Several Pakistani netizens
criticised Zaka for his statement.
“Shame on PCB chairman on calling Bharat Dushman Mulk* despite a
warm welcome from them, Zaka Ashraf is the real dhusman of our team. Dear
Indian don’t take him seriously, he is just a political tout that’s why he was
made chairman. #PAKvNZ #PakistanCricketTeam,” said Pakistan cricket fan
Tehseenqasim in a post on X.
Another cricket fan in Pakistan described the statement from the
PCB Chief as irresponsible
“Irresponsible statement from the head of PCB Zaka Ashraf. India is
not our enemy,” posted Sultan Khan on X
The Pakistan team will play their first warm-up match against New
Zealand in Hyderabad today. It will be followed by another warm-up match
against Australia on October 3.
Pakistan will start its World Cup campaign against the Netherlands
from October 6 onwards.
Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman,
Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed,
Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen
Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.
ANI
