PCB Zaka Ashraf viral video: A video has gone viral on social media in which Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf, who replaced Najam Sethi for the top role earlier this year, referred India as "Dushman Mulk" (Enemy nation) ahead of the start of ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 in India. Ashraf made the shocking remark while addressing a press conference in which was talking about new contracts offered to cricketers of Pakistan's senior men's team. The 71-year-old administrator's controversial comments comes a day after Babar Azam-led Pakistan arrived in India for ODI World Cup 2023. Pakistan has come to play international cricket in India for the first time since 2016.
In a video that is now going viral on X (formerly Twiter), Zaka can be heard saying, "Players hain inka morale upar rehna chahiye jab ye kisi dushman mulk ya kisi bhi jagah khelne jaayen jahan vo competition ho raha ho, to they should go with the full support of the nation aur unko ek acche tarike se perform kar sake (You should keep in mind that when the players go to an enemy country or where the competition is being held, you should support them so that they can perform well)."
Watch below viral video of Pakistan Cricket Board chief Zaka Ashraf, without directly naming, refers India as "Dushman Mulk" ahead of ODI World Cup 2023
Many of the Pakistani players, including captain Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi were greeted with a warm welcome upon their arrival in Hyderabad, both at the airport and their team hotel. Before the main matches, Pakistan cricket team will play two warm-up games against Netherlands and Sri Lanka, both of which are set to be held at the same venue (Hyderabad) on October 6 and 10, respectively.