Leaked Audio
LAHORE: The cricketing world has been jolted by a seismic revelation, mirroring the political landscape’s turmoil with leaked audio recordings. The exposed audio allegedly features Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) interim management committee chairman, Zaka Ashraf, discussing plans to remove Babar Azam as the national team’s all-format captain.
Babar had earlier announced his resignation following Pakistan’s lackluster performance in the World Cup in India. The leaked audio sheds light on orchestrated circumstances designed to compel the star batter to step down. While the PCB has not provided an immediate response, a source confirmed the authenticity of Zaka Ashraf’s voice in the recording, purportedly engaged in a private conversation with a family member.
“Hassan Ali played because he is Babar Azam's friend.”
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) December 18, 2023
Zaka Ashraf's Alleged Audio Leak Reveals How PCB Plotted Babar Azam's Removal From Captaincypic.twitter.com/5aQ2A4ENa4
The leaked conversation delves into the appointments of Shan Masood and Shaheen Shah Afridi as Test and T20 captains, respectively. It also touches on the alleged culture of friendship within the team, with accusations against Babar of favoring close friends in player selections.
Zaka Ashraf’s voice in the recording reveals a premeditated plan to remove Babar as the white-ball captain. The conversation discloses Ashraf’s proposition to Babar to remain as Test captain, contemplating a change in the white-ball captaincy. The leak suggests that Babar consulted with Talha Rehmani, CEO of Saya Corporation, a player agency, before deciding to step down.
The audio alleges that Saya Corporation had significant influence, with claims that most World Cup-selected players were its clients. The conversation also implicates the deterioration of Pakistan cricket due to player-agent interference, specifically pointing to Talha Rehmani’s control over national team players.
In the wake of these revelations, the PCB is reportedly considering a review of its policy regarding player agents, contemplating a cap of two players per agent. The leaked audio exposes a web of intrigue and potential interference in cricketing affairs, raising questions about the integrity of leadership and decision-making within the PCB.
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