Wasim Akram made a post today (September 19) asking people not to believe what he described as the fake news circulating on social media, adding to a string of controversial stories surrounding Pakistan cricket of late.

In a post made on X (Twitter), Akram said that people need to stop believing everything on social media and how fake news gives rise to hatred. “People need to stop thinking everything on social media is true,” he wrote. “The bad is always easier to believe than the good.

“Fake news, in our part of the world, ignites unnecessary controversies, sparks hate and toughens the rift between us something that both countries do not need any more of. Enough is enough!”

People need to stop thinking everything on social media is true. The bad is always easier to believe than the good. Fake news, in our part of the world, ignites unnecessary controversies, sparks hate and toughens the rift between us something that both countries do not need any…

— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) September 19, 2023

A quote attributed to Akram has been doing the rounds lately where he has supposedly questioned the performance of Sri Lanka team in the 2023 Asia Cup final, indicating that there might have been some behind-the-scenes ‘arrangement’ that might have happened between India and Sri Lanka to make sure that India wins.

Wasim Akram on Star Sports:

“The way SL turned up today it seems like some sort of arrangement was already made behind the scenes, to see a team that has reached the finals play in this manner raises quite a few ques but maybe we should keep quiet and not upset the ICC & BCCI.” pic.twitter.com/79AvWpv9Kh

— F (@falahtah) September 17, 2023

While Akram has not explicitly mentioned this, it might be possible that his post is in reference to this viral quote.

This is the latest controversy that has come out lately from Pakistan cricket. Yesterday (September 18), reports came out that Shadab Khan, Pakistan’s white-ball vice-captain, might lose his leadership position at the World Cup.

Daily Jang reported that Shadab might lose out on his vice-captaincy, and might even lose out on his spot in the World Cup squad with leg spinner Abrar Ahmed being picked above him. Abrar, who has shone in his short Test career so far, is yet to make his ODI debut.

Abrar was not selected in the Karachi Whites’ playing XI for their Round two game in the ongoing Qaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament. Some are looking at it as a precautionary measure to not engage him in a rigorous four-day encounter before the World Cup.

At Pindi Cricket Stadium, Karachi Whites have not selected Abrar Ahmed for their round 2 game of the Quaid e Azam trophy 2023👀 In the last game he bagged 6 wickets.

Is it a precautionary measure to not engage the spinner in a 4-day game before some big decision? pic.twitter.com/4VgsuqXRCi

— Shafqat Shabbir (@Chefkat23) September 16, 2023

Pakistan’s unceremonious exit from the 2023 Asia Cup has opened up a can of worms. Two of their premier fast bowlers, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, are injured. The latter might even have to miss the entire World Cup.

There were also reports of infighting in the dressing room after Pakistan’s defeat against Sri Lanka which knocked them out of the tournament. According to Bol News, captain Babar Azam and seamer Shaheen Afridi were involved in a dressing room disagreement after the game.

بری خبر، افسوسناک خبر، دکھ بھری خبر۔۔۔
بدقسمتی نے پاکستان کرکٹ ٹیم کو اپنے گھیرے میں لے لیا۔۔ ☹️ pic.twitter.com/wmsCPByBzK

— Ejaz Wasim Bakhri (@ejazwasim) September 16, 2023

Pakistan are scheduled to start their World Cup campaign in Hyderabad against the Netherlands on October 6.

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