A massive controversy emerged in the media on Friday, just a day after the Pakistan cricket team arrived in India, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf called India a “Dushman Mulk”, which means Enemy Nation during a media interaction in Pakistan.
This could land PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf in huge trouble, and he’s already being slammed by fans and media of both countries for his terrible remark.
Zaka Ashraf was speaking with the media on Friday about the new central contracts and the hike in match fees of the Pakistan men’s and women’s teams. Amid that, he spoke about the Pakistan team landing in Hyderabad, India, on Wednesday for the World Cup 2023 warm-up matches, when he made this comment about Pakistan playing in the enemy nation that is India.
The PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf said: “Players hain inka morale upar rehna chahiye jab ye kisi dushman mulk ya kisi bhi jagah khelne jaayen jahan wo competition ho raha hosoto they should go with the full support of the nation aur unko ek achche tarike se perform kar saken. (Players’ morale should remain high when they go to an enemy country or where the competition is being held. We should support them so that they can perform well).”
Watch the video here:
As Pakistanis, we condemn such statement that has been made by Zaka Ashraf. We genuinely appreciate the Indian fans for warmly welcoming our team. Cricket is a gentleman game. Love and peace across the border.#PakistanCricketTeam
pic.twitter.com/Y0JEZUaoQz— Maham Gillani (@DheetAfridian) September 28, 2023
See reactions of fans on PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf’s “Dushman Mulk” remark
Fan slammed the PCB Chairman for his remarks about India. On one hand, the Pakistan cricket team, led by Babar Azam, got a rousing welcome from the fans in Hyderabad, some of whom even chanted Babar Azam’s name, and on the other hand, this comment from Zaka Ashraf sparked a furor on social media with both Indian and Pakistani fans condemning his statement.
See the reactions to it:
Pakistan will play their two warm-up matches, against New Zealand and Australia in Hyderabad, on September 29 and October 3. They will kick off their World Cup tournament on October 6 against the Netherlands, followed by a match against Sri Lanka on October 10, before they meet the hosts and arch-rivals India on October 14 in Ahmedabad.
