New Delhi,Updated: 23 June 2024 08:45 IST
Pakistan men’s assistant coach Azhar Mahmood has denounced “false allegations” following Pakistan’s disastrous defeat at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Babar Azam’s team initially lost to the United States and India and failed to make it into the Super Eights of the mega event. High hopes were pinned on them after they finished runners-up in Australia last time out. However, The men in Green were delighted to be deceived. Then they went on a losing streak, and although they did win against Canada and Ireland, it was too late.
Meanwhile, reports were rife that the PCB had paid for the travel expenses of cricketers, their families and support staff to the US after Pakistan’s withdrawal. However, Mahmood dismissed the allegations as false and baseless. The former Pakistan all-rounder said he would take legal action against those who spread “unacceptable” rumours on social media platforms.
“I have heard false claims and stories being circulated on social media and other media platforms. I categorically state that these claims are completely baseless and false. It is extremely upsetting to hear it,” Mahmood wrote on X.
“Spreading falsehoods is completely unacceptable.”
“This culture of convincing people of false accusations and false narratives is now becoming absurd and dangerous. Making statements without evidence and misinterpreting facts is a criminal offence and those who engage in such behaviour will be dealt with through legal action.”
“Spreading falsehoods to gain more followers and media attention is totally unacceptable. I will be seeking legal advice against those responsible for making false allegations against me and my family and strict action will be taken accordingly. I will not be discussing the matter further on social media,” Mahmood wrote.
“It is essential that we end this behavior in our media culture, and I urge everyone to avoid engaging with or entertaining these harmful narratives,” he added.
Previously, reports had suggested that captain Babar Azam would take legal action against former cricketers and YouTubers who he had accused of cheating during mega events in the West Indies and the US, ahead of Pakistan’s T20I series against New Zealand earlier this year. Babar replaced Shaheen Shah Afridi as the white-ball captain.But judging by the results, that decision doesn’t seem to have worked out so far.
