Teammates Assault Pakistan Player In Hotel, Causing Bleeding

In a distressing incident, a national-level cricket player from Pakistan was assaulted by fellow teammates in a hotel room, resulting in a bleeding nose. The shocking revelation was made by Shoaib Jatt, a prominent and controversial sports journalist in Pakistan.

“Pakistan cricket has a dark side: A new national player was beaten by international and national cricketers in a hotel room, with the victim suffering a bleeding nose,” shared Shoaib Jatt on social media, bringing to light an alarming situation within the cricketing fraternity.

Pakistan cricket has a dark side: A new national player was beaten by an international & national cricketers in a hotel room, nose was bleeding of victim.

— Shoaib Jatt (@Shoaib_Jatt) January 26, 2024

Read more: PCB Appoints Acting Chairman Post Zaka Ashrafs Resignation

This unsettling incident adds to the growing concerns and challenges faced by Pakistan cricket, which has been marred by controversies and internal strife. The recent resignation of Zaka Ashraf as the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) chairman has further highlighted the turmoil within the cricket administration.

Congratulations Sir ❤️ pic.twitter.com/s4yK3u6blf

— Ｍａｌｉｋ (@MALIKhunyar__) January 26, 2024

Reports indicate that players are contemplating terminating their national contracts due to the refusal of the governing body to grant them NOCs (No Objection Certificates) to participate in T20 leagues. Additionally, discontent among cricketers has risen, with some expressing dissatisfaction with the Director of Cricket and interim head coach, Mohammad Hafeez, particularly regarding lengthy team meetings.

Amidst these issues, Shah Khawar, an advocate of Pakistan’s Supreme Court, has been appointed as the interim chairman of the PCB. Khawar, who also serves as the election commissioner of the PCB, is tasked with overseeing elections for the permanent chairman position next month. The hope is to conduct the elections in a transparent and impartial manner.

Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab province, Mohsin Naqvi, is emerging as a frontrunner for the permanent chairman position, with elections expected to take place soon. The decision to appoint Naqvi to the board of governors follows the resignation of Zaka Ashraf, who stepped down citing personal reasons.

The PCB has faced leadership challenges, remaining without an elected chairman since the resignation of Ramiz Raja in December 2022. Subsequent appointments, including Najam Sethi and Zaka Ashraf, were temporary and marked by disruptions and resignations.

Zaka Ashraf’s tenure as PCB chairman coincided with below-par performances by the Pakistan men’s cricket team. The team failed to progress beyond the group stage in the Cricket World Cup in India and faced a disappointing campaign in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.

Amidst these setbacks, captaincy changes occurred, with Babar Azam stepping down as the captain in all formats after the World Cup. Team director Mickey Arthur and coach Grant Bradburn were asked to report to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore before both ultimately resigned.

Under the leadership of new Test captain Shan Masood, Pakistan suffered a 3-0 defeat to Australia, while Twenty20 captain Shaheen Shah Afridi led the team to a 4-1 series loss in New Zealand. The on-field struggles coupled with off-field controversies paint a challenging picture for Pakistan cricket, and the recent incident of player assault raises serious concerns about team dynamics and discipline within the squad.