'They ask how much money will you give?': Ex-PAK captain slams PCB for hosting private dinner for fans with Babar Azam-led side worth Rs 2000

Pakistan cricket team has found themselves surrounded by a massive controversy ahead of their opening game against the United States of America in the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup 2024 after hosting a ‘meet and greet’ for 25 dollars which is almost equal to 2000 INR. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif slammed PCB for hosting such private dinners amidst the marquee event and called it a disgrace to the image of their players.

Rashid Latif slams PCB

Rashid Latif slammed PCB for stooping really low and hosting a controversial private dinner at a restaurant in New York. He also lashed out at the management for disgracing their players' images as the whole world now says that they can meet Pakistan players by paying money.

"There are official dinners, but this is a private dinner. Who can do this? It’s terrible. That means you met our players in 25 dollars. God forbid, had there been a mess, people would have said boys are earning money," said Rashid Latis in a show hosted by Kamran Muzzaffer.

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"People tell me that whoever calls the Pakistan players, they just ask, ‘how much money will you give?’ This has become common. Things were different at our time, we had 2-3 dinners but they were official. But this is highlighted because it’s the World Cup. So the players should be careful. The amount of 25 dollars shouldn’t be blatantly used like this," he added.

"You attend 2-3 dinners, but without the commercial angle. You can go for charity dinners and fundraisers, but this is neither fundraising nor a charity dinner. This is a private function with the name of Pakistan and Pakistan cricket associated with it. Don’t make this mistake," he concluded.

Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Pakistan will start their T20 World Cup campaign with the match against co-host USA which will be played at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, on June 6.

Squad: Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan

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