Pakistan’s national cricket team captain, Babar Azam, has taken legal action against senior anchorperson Mubashir Luqman. Luqman recently accused Azam of match-fixing during the T20 World Cup in the USA, a claim that has caused quite a stir in the cricketing world.
The controversy began when a video by Mubashir Luqman started making rounds on social media. In the video, Luqman alleged that Babar Azam received an Audi E-Tron from his brother, supposedly linked to match-fixing activities. He suggested that the car obtained through dubious means and accused Azam of deliberately underperforming against teams like the USA, the Netherlands, and Ireland. Luqman went further, claiming that Azam owned properties in Australia and New Zealand acquired under suspicious circumstances.
In response, Babar Azam has filed a defamation claim demanding Rs 1 billion in compensation from Luqman. Azam’s legal team has firmly stated that these allegations are baseless and have seriously harmed his reputation. They challenge Luqman to substantiate his claims or face the consequences of the lawsuit.
The allegations surfaced after Pakistan’s unexpected early exit from the T20 World Cup. The team’s performance included a loss to the USA and a narrow win against Ireland in a low-scoring match. This disappointing run has fueled speculations and criticisms, with Luqman’s accusations being the most notable.
In a broader context, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also considering legal action against journalists and YouTubers who have echoed similar accusations against Azam. These individuals required to provide evidence for their claims or face potential fines and imprisonment. This step follows a new defamation bill passed by the Punjab Assembly, which mandates swift resolution of such cases within six months.
