Babar Azam Considering Legal Action Over 'Leaked WhatsApp Chat' With PCB Official: Report

The leaked conversation between Babar Azam and PCB's COO Salman Naseer seemed to support the rumors that the seniors at PCB were neglecting the former Pak skipper's messages.

An alleged private chat between Babar Azam and PCB’s Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer surfaced on local television, last month. ( Image Source :PTI )

Babar Azam leaked whatsapp chat controversy: captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team, is reported to have sought legal counsel following the unauthorised disclosure of his private WhatsApp conversation with a high-ranking official from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Pakistan's Geo News reported. Last month, a situation arose when an alleged private chat between Babar Azam and PCB’s Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer surfaced on local television, revealing a strained relationship between the captain and the board’s management.

The chat exhibited text exchanges where the skipper denied attempting to contact PCB Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf when questioned about rumours suggesting he was trying to reach out to the board's head, and the latter claimed he had answered Babar's calls.

The leaked conversation between Babar and PCB's COO Salman Naseer seemed to support the rumours that the seniors  at PCB were neglecting the skipper's messages.

According to a report from Geo News, the Pakistan skipper is considering taking legal action due to the disclosure of his private conversation on TV and is exploring his options in this matter. Prior to meeting with the PCB head at Lahore's National Cricket Academy (NCA), report mentioned that the right-handed batter discussed the possibility of taking legal action. Furthermore, the 29-year-old has consulted with close advisors regarding his captaincy of the national team.

On Wednesday, Babar Azam declared his decision to relinquish captaincy across all formats. The right-handed batter has faced scrutiny for Pakistan's disappointing World Cup performance and early exit from the tournament, owing to below-par displays in batting, bowling, and fielding.

Following Babar Azam's resignation from captaincy across all three formats, Pakistan appointed Shan Masood as their Test captain and Shaheen Shah Afridi as the new captain for T20Is. However, as there are no scheduled ODIs in the foreseeable future, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are yet to name an ODI captain. There's also a possibility that Shaheen might lead the team in the next year's T20 World Cup.