Pakistan cricket team and its players continue to find ways to stir up controversy. Just before the start of their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, the Pakistan team is said to have hosted a “private dinner” in the United States and invited fans for a “meet and greet”. However, the initiative was not free and was for charity. The “private dinner” came with an admission fee of US$25, infuriating many in the Pakistan cricketing community. Rashid Latif, one of the greatest Pakistani cricketers of all time, took to social media to highlight the shocking program organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board and the players.
According to a video Latif shared on social media, fans were allowed to pay a $25 fee to meet Pakistan players during a private dinner – an idea that the Pakistan legend and other players featured in the video were stunned by.
“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.
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Informal private dinner during WC24#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/BXEgPyA2p2— Rashid Latif | (@iRashidLatif68) June 4, 2024
Presenter Nauman Niaz noted the “dire situation” of the Pakistan team, while a fan suggested that the price should have at least remained higher if the team was going to go ahead with the plan.
Latif also said he understood the idea of organising charity dinners, but not private dinners for which a fee was charged.
“I hear that whenever you call any Pakistan player, all they ask is ‘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 since it is the World Cup, there is emphasis on this. So, players should be careful. The amount of $25 should not be spent so blatantly like this. You can attend two-three dinners but there should be no commercial angle. You 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,” he added.
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