The leaked messages have created a furore in the Pakistan cricket fraternity.
The conversation between Babar and PCB’s Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer was leaked on Pakistan’s leading news channel ARY News, much to the shock of the fans and former cricketers alike.
As per the leaked screenshot, the sender’s message stated, "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 called him recently?"
The receiver by the name of ‘Babar Azam New’ replied, “Salam Salman bhai, ma ny to sir ko koi call nai ke (Hello brother, I have not made any call to sir).”
The leaked messages have created a furore in the Pakistan cricket fraternity. Amid the controversy, Waqar has come out in support of Babar, urging everyone to leave the Pakistan skipper alone.
“Ya kya Karna ki koshish kar raha ho aap loog??? This is pathetic !!! Khush ho gaya aap loog. Please leave @babarazam25 alone. He’s an asset of Pakistan Cricket,” Waqar wrote on X.
It all started after former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif made a shocking claim that PCB officials, including chairman Zaka Ashraf, have been ignoring text messages of Babar Azam.
Latif also alleged that the Pakistan cricketers have not been paid by the board for the last five months.
Speaking to ARY News, Zaka Ashraf rubbished these allegations, citing that the Pakistan captain had never gotten in touch with him directly.
“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.”
Subsequently, Babar Azam’s private chats emerged in the media, supporting the statement of the PCB chairman.
Babar is currently leading the Pakistan cricket team in the ongoing World Cup in India. Under his captaincy, the Men in Green have lost four out of six games and they are on the brink of early elimination from the global tournament.