Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, has strongly denied the Indian media reports alleging that he indulged in a shopping spree while in the neighboring country for the 2023 World Cup.
An agency representing him stated that these reports are baseless. The Indian media had asserted that the renowned batsman purchased jewelry and clothing, including a designer sherwani valued at 700,000 Indian rupees.
“We vehemently reject the utterly false reports circulating on certain media platforms suggesting that Kaptaan Babar Azam engaged in clothing and jewelry shopping in India amidst the ongoing World Cup,” the agency said in a statement.
It said the news came as a “surprise” to Babar as well.
“We categorically refute these baseless claims and implore such media outlets to exercise diligent fact-checking before participating in any dissemination of misinformation, disinformation, or propaganda. Thank you,” the statement added.
While in India, Pakistani players find themselves mostly confined to their hotel rooms due to the stringent security measures that prohibit them from venturing out without substantial protection.
Team director Mickey Arthur recently voiced his concerns about the oppressive security environment faced by the Pakistan team at the World Cup in India, comparing it to the restrictions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout the tournament, several Pakistani players have experienced ailments like fever and flu, with fast bowler Hasan Ali attributing these health issues to what he referred to as “room sickness.”
This tournament marks Pakistan’s first participation in an event held in India since 2016.
