NEW DELHI: Pakistan cricket and controversy go hand in hand. Whatever a Pakistani cricketer says or does, intentionally or not, ends up in the news for all the wrong reasons.
Just two days ago, a video was posted on social media in which Pakistan captain Babar Azam was seen seemingly criticising wicketkeeper Azam Khan for his physical appearance during training.
And now, former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has shared a video on X in which he is seen on a talk show discussing a private dinner hosted by the Pakistan team where fans could meet national team players for $25.
The show, hosted by Kamran Muzaffar, also featured Pakistani television personality, cricket correspondent and author Nauman Niaz, who was also appalled by the incident and slammed the Pakistani cricketers for taking part in such incidents.
“There are official dinners but this is a private dinner. Who can do this? It’s horrible. I mean, he met our player for $25. I pray to God, if there was any confusion, people would have said the boys are making money,” Latif said in the video.
The host added that Pakistani cricketers cannot do such “meet-up” events on national duty, and that too for $25.
Nauman Niaz called what happened a “tragic situation” and questioned the team’s intentions and focus.
Latif added, “When you call Pakistan players, you hear that they just ask, ‘How much are you willing to donate?’ This is common. Things were different in our time. There were two-three dinners but they were official. But it is the World Cup and this is being emphasised. So, players need to be careful. The amount of $25 should not be spent so blatantly like this. We will attend two-three dinners but there will be no commercial angle. We can attend charity dinners and fundraisers but this is not a fundraiser or a charity dinner. It is a private event in the name of Pakistan and Pakistan cricket. Do not make this mistake.”
Pakistan will play their T20 World Cup opener against the United States in Dallas on Thursday before taking on arch rivals India in a titanic clash in New York on Sunday.
Just two days ago, a video was posted on social media in which Pakistan captain Babar Azam was seen seemingly criticising wicketkeeper Azam Khan for his physical appearance during training.
And now, former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has shared a video on X in which he is seen on a talk show discussing a private dinner hosted by the Pakistan team where fans could meet national team players for $25.
The show, hosted by Kamran Muzaffar, also featured Pakistani television personality, cricket correspondent and author Nauman Niaz, who was also appalled by the incident and slammed the Pakistani cricketers for taking part in such incidents.
“There are official dinners but this is a private dinner. Who can do this? It’s horrible. I mean, he met our player for $25. I pray to God, if there was any confusion, people would have said the boys are making money,” Latif said in the video.
The host added that Pakistani cricketers cannot do such “meet-up” events on national duty, and that too for $25.
Nauman Niaz called what happened a “tragic situation” and questioned the team’s intentions and focus.
Latif added, “When you call Pakistan players, you hear that they just ask, ‘How much are you willing to donate?’ This is common. Things were different in our time. There were two-three dinners but they were official. But it is the World Cup and this is being emphasised. So, players need to be careful. The amount of $25 should not be spent so blatantly like this. We will attend two-three dinners but there will be no commercial angle. We can attend charity dinners and fundraisers but this is not a fundraiser or a charity dinner. It is a private event in the name of Pakistan and Pakistan cricket. Do not make this mistake.”
Pakistan will play their T20 World Cup opener against the United States in Dallas on Thursday before taking on arch rivals India in a titanic clash in New York on Sunday.
