Lahore witnessed a seismic upheaval in Pakistan cricket as a leaked audio recording, purportedly featuring PCB chief Zaka Ashraf, unveiled discussions around favoritism within the national squad and shed light on Babar Azam’s surprising exit from captaincy across all cricket formats.
The contentious clip, involving a conversation among three individuals, prominently Zaka Ashraf, delved into Babar Azam’s decision-making process regarding his resignation as captain. Contrary to initial intentions of consulting his family, the audio suggested Babar Azam sought counsel from player agent Talha, purportedly leading to his recommendation of stepping down from all formats.
The leaked dialogue also brought forward Zaka Ashraf’s purported reasons for overlooking Mohammad Rizwan as the limited-overs cricket captain, attributing the decision to Rizwan’s perceived affiliation with a group allegedly headed by Talha.
Further revelations in the recording painted Talha as a player’s agent wielding considerable influence, reportedly managing eight national team players and exerting significant sway over their families. Notably, Zaka Ashraf seemingly supported a suggestion from a female voice indicating that players like Shadab Khan and Hassan Ali maintained their positions due to their closeness with Babar Azam.
This controversy erupted on the heels of Babar Azam’s resignation from captaincy, a move that surfaced a month after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the Cricket World Cup.
The audio leak has stirred a storm within cricket circles, raising pertinent questions about the transparency of team selection, the role of player agents, and the influence of personal relationships on squad composition. As the cricket fraternity grapples with these revelations, the integrity and fairness of Pakistan cricket face renewed scrutiny, demanding thorough investigation and transparency in handling internal affairs.
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Qudrat ka Nizam💔#BabarAzam #ZakaAshraf pic.twitter.com/MFzEs7czP4— Cricket with Anas (@CricketwithAnas) December 18, 2023
