Babar Azam files defamation notice against journalist over match-fixing allegations during T20 World Cup

Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam has filed a defamation notice against journalist Mubashir Luqman after he alluded to match-fixing allegations for Pakistan’s dismal show in the T20 World Cup. Pakistan made an early exit from the tournament after they failed to chase down a run-a-ball target against India and lost to the US in a major upset.

In the notice, which the Indian Express has access to, Luqman has been asked to apologise within 14 days. The defamation suit is of Rs 1 billion PKR (100 crore PKR or 30 crore INR)

“You are hereby called upon to tender an unconditional apology and retraction in the same manner in which you issued the defamatory statements on your YouTube show and with the same prominence within a period of 14 days, failing which our client reserves the right to institute legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction, against you, under the Defamation Ordinance 2002 for damages of Rs 1 Billion,” read the notice.

Babar Azam’s lawyer Qazi Umair Ali has accused Luqman for not respecting a generational talent, who has won so many games for Pakistan.

“We have got a player of Babar’s calibre after a long time. Maybe after Younis Khan. The things which have been said are absolutely ridiculous. In the past, such things have also happened in Pakistan cricket. Yes, he didn’t perform well. It happens. Virat Kohli struggled for three years, and we never heard a word about anything negative from India about Virat, instead, the entire country was backing him,” Ali tells The Indian Express.

Ali says the Pakistan captain doesn’t want to drag the issue but only wants an apology from Luqman.

Babar Azam only managed 90 runs in three matches as Pakistan marked a group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup. (AP)

“In Pakistan, you have to give a 14-day notice before filing a case in the court. If the person comes forward and apologises in that 14-day time then it is well and good. If they don’t then you can go to the court and file the case,” he says.

In the wake of Pakistan’s exit from the World Cup, senior journalist Mubashir Luqman has implied that Babar Azam was involved in match-fixing.

Allegation of expensive gifts

“Just a few days ago, Babar Azam received an Audi E-Tron. It’s a fantastic car, and I also own one, but he will regret it when its electric boards start bursting in the rain. Babar mentioned that his brother gifted him the car, but I found out his brother does absolutely nothing,” Luqman had said on his YouTube channel.

“When I inquired about the car, a source told me, ‘If you lose matches against America, Afghanistan, the Netherlands, or Ireland, won’t you get cars, houses in DHA, plots in Australia, and apartments in Dubai?'”

Pakistan cricket team’s assistant coach Azhar Mahmood has also released a statement stating he will be “pursuing legal advice against those responsible for making these false allegations”.

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“This culture of falsely accusing and misleading people to believe a false narrative is now getting ridiculous and dangerous. Speaking without evidence and misconstruing facts is a criminal offence, and those engaging in such behaviour will be dealt with through legal action,” Azhar Mahmood wrote on X.

“Pursuing an increase in followers and media attention by spreading falsehoods is downright unacceptable. I will be pursuing legal advice against those responsible for making these false allegations towards me and my family, and strict action will be taken accordingly. We will not be discussing this matter further on social media. I urge everyone to avoid engaging with or entertaining these harmful narratives as it is essential to put an end to such behaviour in our media culture.”

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