ODI World Cup 2023: Babar Azam's interview denial to Irfan Pathan turns out to be fake

Pakistan’s hopes of a semi-final qualification have been hanging by a loose thread in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, as they’re heavily dependent on the results of Afghanistan and New Zealand to seal their spot in the knockouts. Apart from their on-field performances, the Babar Azam-led side has been receiving grand hospitality in India right from the first day they arrived in the country after a gap of seven years.

However, some of Pakistan’s experts are still busy peddling fake news to spread venom between the two countries. Recently, Pakistan journalist Naseem Rajput claimed on a news channel that Babar denied talking to former India cricketer Irfan Pathan for an interview saying that he doesn’t talk to those who speak against Pakistan.

Also Read: ODI World Cup 2023: Irfan Pathan trends on 'X' after Glenn Maxwell's heroics outclass buoyant Afghanistan

However, CricTracker understands that the quote is absolutely baseless and no such incident ever took place. Despite that, the fake news has been spreading like wildfire all over social media with several accounts peddling it without any verification.

“Irfan tried to interview Babar but Babar refused. First, the production team of the channel came forward with an interview request on behalf of Pathan but the Pakistan skipper denied it. Later on, the former India all-rounder himself went up to him to have a chat. However, Babar once again denied the request saying that he doesn’t talk to those who speak against Pakistan,” said Naseem Rajput on the show ‘Kuch Cricket Ho jaye’ on Aaj TV.

Gautam Gambhir also called out a news channel for fake news

Notably, Pathan is not the only former India cricketer who has fallen prey to fake news. Recently, former India opener Gautam Gambhir also called out a popular Indian news channel for spreading fake information against his name. The news article published on the channel’s website had quoted Gambhir saying, “Virat Kohli would have taken singles on 195 if had he been there. But Glenn Maxwell chose to hit six that’s what makes him different."

Gambhir called out the channel with a post on X and wrote, "What bullsh*t! When I say something I say it openly. To all the so called verified handles - cite source or apologise!.”

As a result, the media organisation immediately took down the article and apologised to the two-time World Cup winner.

Also Check: ODI World Cup 2023 Most Runs