Pakistan Cricket Team's Top 5 Controversies in 2023: Coup against Babar Azam to 'Dushman Mulk' Remark For India

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Pakistan Cricket Team's Top 5 Controversies in 2023: As always a lot happened in Pakistan cricket in 2023. On the cricketing front, the mercurial side attained the number one ranking in ODI cricket and were being considered as one of the favourites to win the World Cup 2023 title.

However, they failed miserably in the ICC marquee event. They failed to qualify for the semi-final after managing to win just four of their nine league stage matches.

They played three Test matches before the start of the 3-Test series against Australia in December. The first Test of the year ended in a draw, while they won the remaining two Test matches in Sri Lanka to win the away series 2-0.

Top five Pakistan Cricket Team controversies in 2023

There was no shortage of controversy as well in Pakistan. They made headlines in World Cup 2023 and more so after the tournament which ended with the final on November 19.

1. 'Coup' against Babar Azam and his captaincy resignation

There were reports of spat between Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi after Pakistan's exit from the Asia Cup 2023. The two denied the reports, and Babar Azam went on to lead the team in the World Cup 2023.

However, a section of former cricketers including Shaheen Afridi's father-in-law and Pakistan legend Shahid legend criticised Babar Azam and his captaincy on several occasions. Midway through the World Cup 2023, PCB released a statement which indirectly signalled towards Babar Azam's sacking from captaincy in the coming future. Inzamam-ul-Haq also resigned from the position of chief selector.

The star batter immediately resigned from captaincy across formats after the World Cup 2023. Shaheen Afridi was named the T20I captain.

2. PCB chief Zaka Ashraf's 'Dushman Mulk' remark for India

As the Pakistan cricketers received an extremely warm welcome from Indian fans in Hyderabad, PCB chief Zaka Ashraf stirred controversy by saying that the players have been given hikes in their contracts so that they stay motivated in 'dushman mulk' (enemy nation).

3. Babar Azam leaked WhatsApp chat controversy

Babar Azam's alleged WhatsApp chat with PCB COO Salman Naseer was leaked during the World Cup 2023. A Pakistan TV channel displayed the leaked chat publicly on the TV. The leaked chat claimed that Pakistani cricketers were unpaid for the last five months and the PCB is not answering the calls from captain Babar Azam.

"Babar, there's also been this news circulating on TV and social media that you have been calling the chairman and he's not answering. Have you called him recently," Salman was seen asking the Pakistan captain, to which the reply was: "Salam Salman bhai! Maine toh sir ko call nahi kara (Greetings Salman! I did not make any such calls to sir)".

Pakistan legends including Waqar Younis were left fuming after the incident. "Yeh kya karne ki koshish kar rahe ho aap log (What are you guys trying to prove)? This is pathetic. Khush ho gaye aap log (Are you guys happy now)? Please leave Babar Azam alone. He is an asset to Pakistan cricket," he posted on X.

4. PCB's complaint to ICC against Indian fans

Pakistan players endured a tough time in their match against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Indian fans at the ground acted as the 12th man and came up with chants including 'Jai Shree Ram' which echoed throughout the stadium throughout the match.

A video of Pakistani players being hooted by Indian fans had also gone viral. The PCB later complained to the ICC regarding crowd behaviour at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

4. Wahab Riaz's attack on Haris Rauf

Wahab Riaz was named the Pakistan cricket team's new chief selector ahead of their Australia tour in December. The 38-year-old in his first press conference, blasted Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf for backing from his words.

He revealed that the pacer first agreed to play in the Test series against Australia before making himself unavailable citing fitness concerns and workload management. Wahab Riaz said people not prioritising playing for Pakistan would not be considered in future.

However, weeks later a No Objection Certificate (NOC) was given to Haris for the BBL 2023. Wahab reacted to it by saying that he has been given the NOC so that he can prepare for the T20I series against New Zealand in January.