Commentator Simon Doull posted an Instagram story to rubbish claims wrongly attributed to him which said that “living in Pakistan was hell.”
Doull, who is currently commenting for the 2023 Indian Premier League, has regular work commitments all over the world. Before arriving in India, he was commenting during the 2023 Pakistan Super League, having also flown to the country at the start of the year for the Tests between Pakistan and New Zealand.
The former New Zealand international was vocal in his criticism of Babar’s T20 strike rate during the PSL, and also questioned the nature of pitches in Pakistan’s home Test matches during 2022. He posed the question whether the “directive” [to prepare roads] came from Babar, who wanted to “improve his own stats.”
On Sunday, Doull shared a story on his Instagram account containing a quote that he had reportedly given to Geo TV, a Pakistan-based media outlet. It said, “Living in Pakistan is like living in hell. I was not allowed to go out as Babar Azam fans were waiting for me. And I stayed in Pakistan without food for many days. Even I was mentally tortured but by the grace of God, I somehow escaped from Pakistan.”
Sharing the graphic, Doull posted ‘Fake news” and clarified: “This is absolutely rubbish. I loved my time in Pakistan as I do in India. Stop using me for your hatred you sad individuals. #peace”
UK-based journalist Saj Sadiq also reached out to Doull. Taking to Twitter, Sadiq said: “Just spoke with Simon Doull. He denies reports quoting him as saying he was not allowed to go out in Pakistan as Babar Azam fans were waiting for him and that he stayed in Pakistan without food for many days. He says that he absolutely loved his time in Pakistan.”
Just spoke with Simon Doull. He denies reports quoting him as saying he was not allowed to go out in Pakistan as Babar Azam fans were waiting for him and that he stayed in Pakistan without food for many days. He says that he absolutely loved his time in Pakistan #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) April 13, 2023
Geo TV have also denied any association with the making or circulation of the post and the comments.
Last week, fake posts pertaining to Chennai Super Kings bowler Tushar Deshpande also did the rounds on social media. They containing inaccurate quotes from him after he had dismissed Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma during an IPL clash. He was wrongly quoted as saying, “Taking Rohit Sharma’s wicket is so easy. He is not someone like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers”.
