Cricket

Pakistan's cricket team has faced a tumultuous start to the T20 World Cup 2024, losing its first two matches against the USA and India. However, they managed to secure their first victory by defeating Canada on Tuesday. Despite this win, Pakistan's qualification for the Super 8 remains uncertain, as they rely on favorable results from other teams.Amidst the team's struggles, accusations have been hurled at the players by the Pakistani media and former cricketers. A TV anchor recently criticized Iftikhar Ahmad for liking a video that praised Imad Wasim's slow innings against India. The video's caption labeled Wasim's performance as a "masterclass," despite Pakistan's failure to chase a low target of 120.Former Pakistan captain Saleem Malik has also accused Wasim of deliberately wasting balls during the match against India. Malik claimed that Wasim's 23-ball 15 appeared to be an attempt to sabotage the team's run-chase. However, former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist has criticized Malik's comments, calling them ironic given Malik's own history of match-fixing.The accusations against the Pakistan team have sparked controversy, with former captain Rashid Latif sharing Gilchrist's video and condemning Pakistani ex-cricketers for their "international embarrassment." The team's performance and the ongoing allegations have cast a shadow over Pakistan's hopes of advancing in the tournament.

Former Pakistan captain Saleem Malik has sparked controversy by accusing all-rounder Imad Wasim of intentionally wasting deliveries during Pakistan's T20 World Cup match against India. Pakistan fell short of the modest target of 120 runs, ending their innings at 113 for 7, with Wasim scoring only 15 runs in 23 balls.Malik's allegations have been met with skepticism and criticism from cricket experts. Australia legend Adam Gilchrist dismissed the notion of accusing a player of deliberately underperforming, stating that "a bunch of ex-Pakistan cricketers haven't missed their teams, at all."Malik, however, maintained his stance, claiming that Wasim "made sure that he doesn't get out and keep bettering his batting average." He also questioned Wasim's promotion up the order, given his lack of recent playing time.Wasim's performance has been a subject of scrutiny since the World Cup. He has been criticized for his slow batting and inability to contribute significantly to the team's batting lineup.The allegations against Wasim have raised concerns about the integrity of the game. If proven true, they would represent a serious breach of sportsmanship and fair play. However, it is important to note that these are just allegations at this point, and Wasim has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet commented on Malik's allegations. It remains to be seen whether the board will investigate the matter further or take any disciplinary action against Wasim.