PCB chief Zaka Ashraf in the midst of another controversy, calls India a 'Dushman Mulk'

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf made a controversial statement against India.

Pakistan cricket team was welcomed by a huge reception at the Hyderabad airport when they arrived in India for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Babar Azam-led team got a star-like welcome when they landed in India after seven years. Despite all the tensions between the two countries, cricket became a way to cheer the population from both sides, and Indian fans showered their love on Pakistan squad arriving in India for the mega event.

Amidst all this, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf has ignited a new controversy. In a viral video, PCB chief Zaka Ashraf has called India a ‘Dushman Mulk (enemy country).' PCB chief Ashraf was addressing a press conference about their new ‘historic’ 25-players central contract list. PCB announced their central contract after lengthy negotiations with players who threatened to boycott the sponsors' event.

PCB chief's irresponsible statement

In the viral video, Zaka Ashraf can be heard saying, “We gave these contracts to our players with love and affection. Never in the history of Pakistan has such an amount of money been given to players. I aimed to keep the players’ morale high as they go to countries, the enemy country (Dushman Mulk), for competitions.” Zaka Ashraf was criticised severely by fans across the border. Pakistani fans have also slammed Ashraf’s comment.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam was grateful for the welcome his team received at the Hyderabad airport. Azam posted on social media, “Overwhelmed by the love and support here in Hyderabad.” Pakistan last toured India for the 2016 T20 World Cup. Pakistan and India do not play any bilateral tours and avoid playing in India or Pakistan. Social media users from Pakistan attacked Zaka Ashraf’s statement, and they pointed out that the team got a grand welcome in Hyderabad.

Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first in their opening warm-up fixture against New Zealand in Hyderabad. They will be staying in Hyderabad for almost two weeks as they will be playing both of their warm-up games at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, and then they will play the opening two league-round games against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka at the same venue. Pakistan have gotten off to a troubled start against New Zealand.