Babar fights back after fixing accusations

LAHORE: Accusations of match fixing started to surface with reports of players discontent and groupings that followed defamation notices and legal threats.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has taken legal action against a well-known TV anchor for defamation. The anchor accused Azam and his teammates of match-fixing on social media. Azam demanded a public apology and threatened further legal action if not received.

This comes after a string of criticism and conspiracy theories following Pakistan’s World Cup performance. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is prepared to take legal action against individuals making “baseless” match-fixing allegations and also against people who ried to get physical with the national players.

The Board maintains a clean record for its players, especially senior members like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi. PCB sources claim they’ll pursue legal action against YouTubers and journalists making such accusations without evidence.

A new defamation law in Pakistan promises quicker resolutions within six months. Following an unpleasant incident involving Haris Rauf, players fear for their safety outside team settings.

This has led some players, including Azam, to hesitate about returning to Pakistan immediately. The PCB has assured the team of full protection and urged them to report any security issues.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s assistant coach Azhar Mahmood has threatened legal action for false accusations. Pakistan’s assistant coach threatened legal action against those spreading “harmful narratives” about him and his family.