The cricketing world is abuzz with outrage and debate after an alleged “private” WhatsApp chat between Pakistan’s cricket captain, Babar Azam, and a senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official was broadcast during a live TV show. The incident has ignited discussions about the invasion of privacy and ethical considerations in sports. The controversy unfolded in the wake of former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif’s claims that the PCB’s senior management was ignoring Babar Azam’s messages, raising questions about the relationship between the captain and the board.
During a discussion on Pakistan’s state broadcaster, PTV Sports, Rashid Latif asserted that Babar Azam had been attempting to contact key PCB figures, including Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf, Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer, and Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla. However, all three had allegedly remained unresponsive to the captain’s messages for the past two days.
The situation took an unexpected turn when a screenshot of an alleged WhatsApp conversation between Babar Azam and the PCB official was shown on a private news channel. In the chat, Azam was asked about his attempts to contact the chairman, to which he allegedly responded that he had not made any calls. Notably, the date of the conversation was not specified.
The revelation did not sit well with former Pakistan cricketer Azhar Ali, who was part of the show’s discussion. He questioned whether the reporter had obtained Babar’s consent before sharing the private communication, to which the reporter replied that, as a journalist, he did not need to seek such consent.
This incident drew sharp criticism from netizens and cricket enthusiasts who viewed it as an unethical violation of privacy. Anila Khawaja, a UK-based Pakistani journalist, expressed her disapproval, emphasizing that the Cricket World Cup was ongoing, and Babar Azam was still the captain of Pakistan.
In response to the backlash, the anchor of the show, Waseem Badami, issued an apology on behalf of his team and the TV management. He explained the decision-making process that led to the broadcast of the alleged chat.
Badami acknowledged that, in a live show involving multiple individuals, various decisions are made, some of which may be regrettable.
My humble thoughts on Babar Azam – Zaka Ashraf issue 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/g7RwamSP54
— Waseem Badami (@WaseemBadami) October 29, 2023
It’s worth noting that the PCB chief’s purported permission was not relevant in this case, as the conversation involved two private individuals, and the PCB chief was not one of them. An official statement from the PCB is expected to provide clarity on the matter.
The incident has raised significant questions about the boundaries of privacy in the sports world and highlights the importance of ethical considerations, especially when it comes to airing private conversations involving public figures.