Babar Azam’s private chat had been leaked on-air. The release of a private WhatsApp conversation between Pakistan captain Babar Azam and a senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official has infuriated netizens and former cricket players, who call it an unethical and privacy-breaching action.
Social media users began to share reports that the senior management of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was disregarding Babar Azam’s messages. These reports gained attention following remarks made by former captain Rashid Latif.
Speaking on PTV Sports, Rashid Latif asserted that the captain has been messaging Zaka Ashraf, the chairman of the PCB Management Committee, Salman Naseer, the chief operating officer, and Usman Wahla, the director of international cricket, for the past two days, but none of them have responded.
The controversy also came under discussion on a private news channel when a screenshot of an alleged WhatsApp chat between the two was aired.
“Babar, there’s also been this news circulating on TV and social media that you have been calling Chairman and he’s not answering. Have you called him recently?”
To which, Babar Azam allegedly replied: “Salam Salman bhai, ma nay to sir ko koi call nai ke [Salam Salman bhai, I have not made any calls to sir].”
“Ok thanks,” the other person responded.
Nevertheless, the date of the communication was not specified.
During his appearance on the show, former Pakistani cricketer Azhar Ali questioned the reporter about whether or not he had Babar’s permission before disclosing a private correspondence.
He responded, saying he didn’t need to ask because he is a reporter.
Internet users took offense at this action and called out the reporter and TV channel management for their “unethical” behavior.
“I believe everyone has forgotten that the WC tournament is still ongoing. & he remains Pakistan’s captain at this time. When will we grow up?” Pakistani journalist Anila Khawaja, who is based in the UK, bemoaned.
Babar Azam’s private chat leaked on-air; Anchor apologises
Waseem Badami, the show’s anchor, has since apologized on behalf of his group and the TV management and provided his side of the story.
“When we are doing a live show in which a number of people are involved, a range of decisions are taken. Some of them are good and at times we make decisions that are wrong.
“And today, I think we took a wrong decision regarding an alleged WhatsApp chat between Babar Azam and a high-ranking PCB official. You may ask if that was a wrong move then why it happened.”
The anchor then went on to explain what happened before the show and why they did, what they did.
“Before the show, we had consultations on the matter and decided against airing this,” Badami said.
But the anchor claimed that just before the show, his production team discovered a video of the PCB chief, wherein he allegedly gave the go-ahead to air the chat and accepted full responsibility for the situation.
“Assuming that an accountable official is taking full responsibility for it at this point, we chose to share the screenshot. conveniently overlooking the fact that it is a conversation between two people in private.
The anchor acknowledged that the choice was made in “haste” just three or four minutes before the show, but she also said that they weren’t sure if Babar Azam had given his permission to be aired live.
However, I don’t think it was the best choice, and I say this not just for myself but also for my team and TV management. Since we believe that the conversation was private, it shouldn’t have been released without permission.
“So, if it had hurt anyone. I apologise from the core of my heart and I’m not just proud of it… we are not proud of it.”
In closing the video statement, he pledged to take what he had learned from the experience and not repeat this error.
Notably, Zaka Ashraf was not one of the two private individuals involved, so the alleged permission of the PCB chief was irrelevant in this case. On the other hand, the PCB can provide clarification on this issue with an official statement.
