'I Have No Connection With Cricket...' - Ratan Tata Denies Announcing Reward For Afghanistan Cricketers

Industrialist Ratan Tata has denied making any announcement or having made any offer of a reward or gave any suggestions to the International Cricket Council (ICC) or to any player on giving a reward or a fine.

The Indian industrialist took to social media to deny the rumours being spread through other platforms of giving a reward or fining a player. This comes after fake video messages circulated following Afghanistan's victory over Pakistan in the ICC World Cup 2023.

After Afghanistan beat Pakistan last week, there were WhatsApp forwards and videos floating on social media that had fraudulently claimed that Ratan Tata had announced a Rs 10 crore reward for Afghanistan cricketer Rashid Khan, but the renowned industrialist has denied any such claims.

"I have made no suggestions to the ICC or any cricket faculty about any cricket member regarding a fine or reward to any players. I have no connection to cricket whatsoever. Please do not believe WhatsApp forwards and videos of such nature unless they come from my official platforms," Ratan Tata posted on X, formerly Twitter.

On October 23, Afghanistan registered their second surprise victory in the ongoing World Cup and their first-ever win over Pakistan in the 50-over format.

The Afghans, who had stunned England earlier in the tournament, rode on a dazzling all-round performance in the field to upset their neighbours with a thumping eight-wicket defeat on a sluggish surface at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

In the run chase of 283, the top three of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65), Ibrahim Zadran (87), and Rahmat Shah (77*), starred with the bat to help Afghanistan post a win for the ages with 8 wickets in hand and 1 over to spare.

Afghanistan, who are currently in seventh with 4 points, will look to upset another Asian rival in Sri Lanka on Monday (October 30) at the MCA Stadium in Pune as they chase a top four finish in ICC World Cup 2023 points table.