Babar Azam is again under the ARY radar, having Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Jutt, and Waseem Badami as panelists discussing cricket and captain on a show tends to result in embarrassment.
In the most recent talk show, Shoaib Jatt, a journalist with ARY, who has been openly critical of the national captain, Babar Azam, for some time, shared a private WhatsApp conversation on live television. This action has enraged Pakistani cricket lovers, numerous senior cricketers, the media and the legal fraternity.
Even Indian journalists have labeled this journalistic approach as unethical. Regrettably, Pakistan has three more matches to play, but our news channel ARY News is excessively emphasizing negativity, which risks undermining the spirit of cricket and the morale of our national captain.
Even our esteemed former fast bowler, Waqar Younis, expressed his astonishment at the quality of ARY’s programming during the Cricket World Cup and showed his frustration through a tweet.
Ya kya Karna ki koshish kar raha ho aap loog??? This is pathetic !!!
Khush ho gaya aap loog. Please leave @babarazam258 alone 🙏🏽. He’s an asset of Pakistan Cricket @TheRealPCB @ARYNEWSOFFICIAL @Salman_ARY https://t.co/pcM90yUGqy— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) October 30, 2023
Pakistan’s top Squash player Noreena Shams also recorded her protest on this pathetic program via Tweet:
This is a cyber crime. It has punishment. It has happened to one of the most prominent athletes of our country. Those involved must be punished. @nighatdad https://t.co/lsG2QsFPvj
— Noorena Shams (@noorenashams) October 29, 2023
Digital Media activist, Cybercrime specialist, and lawyer Nighat Dad also suggests Babar Azam take legal action against the program host and the channel itself for sharing his private chat without his consent, she writes
Babar Azam @babarazam258 should file a complaint against violating his privacy and leaking his private chat on a national TV without his prior consent. #BabarAzam make tv channel a party to this. https://t.co/TaBtAZMIoT
— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) October 30, 2023
The situation involving the actions of Zaka Ashraf, the political appointee of Chairman PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board), raises concerns about professionalism, especially given the challenging circumstances faced by the Pakistan Cricket Team during the Cricket World Cup in India.
Firstly, the timing of these actions is significant. The national team’s performance in a high-profile tournament like the Cricket World Cup has a significant impact on the country’s cricketing reputation.
In such a critical moment, the team requires unwavering support and backing from all stakeholders, including the Chairman PCB. This support helps boost the morale of the players and fosters a positive atmosphere within the team, which is essential for their performance.
However, the actions of Zaka Ashraf appear to be counterproductive. His controversial interviews and meetings with former cricketers, along with the subsequent highlighting of these interactions on social media, send mixed signals. On one hand, it’s essential for cricket administrators to engage with former players and seek their insights, but the public and potentially divisive nature of these interactions can disrupt the unity and focus of the team.
The dressing room environment is of paramount importance, especially in an intense competition like the Cricket World Cup. Any actions that create uncertainty, controversy, or discord among team members can have a detrimental effect on their performance. It is crucial for team members to feel a sense of unity and support from all quarters, which ultimately contributes to their confidence and success on the field.
In summary, the actions of Zaka Ashraf, particularly the controversial interviews and interactions with former cricketers shared on social media, do not align with the professionalism and unity needed by the Pakistan Cricket Team during a tough campaign in the Cricket World Cup.
Such actions can undermine the team’s focus and confidence, which are vital for their success in a challenging environment like the World Cup in India. It is important for cricket administrators to prioritize the well-being and unity of the team to enhance their chances of success.
