Zaka Ashraf’s 'enemy country' comment angers Indians

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Zaka Ashraf, the Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, allegedly made an indirect reference to India as an "enemy country" on Wednesday evening as the Pakistan cricket team arrived in Hyderabad, India, to participate in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Ashraf made this statement during a media interaction where he was talking about a significant increase in match fees and player remuneration, including three-year central contracts for 25 Pakistani cricketers that would also involve a share of ICC revenue.

"The morale of the players should be up when they go to an enemy country or where the competition is being held. They should go with full support of the nation so that they can perform well," Ashraf said.

 

Pakistan morale should be high as they r going to "DUSHMAN MULK"
Says Zaka Ashraf chairman of Pakistan cricket Board @TheRealPCBMedia @vikrantgupta73 @rawatrahul9 @manoj_dimri @SushantNMehta @zakaashraf81 pic.twitter.com/t7y9cqdz5B

— Kunal (@kunal11_23) September 27, 2023

 

The Pakistan team received a warm reception at the airport and their hotel in Hyderabad. However, Ashraf's comment left a bitter impression and upset Indian fans, leading to an outpouring of outrage among them.

 

'Dushman Mulk'

Dil ki baat aksar zubaan pe aa hi jaati hai. https://t.co/Dwat5yItQ9

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) September 28, 2023

Why did you even send them to 'Dusman Mulk' ? 😏
Learn from us we don't send our players to Dusman Mulk phir chahe pura venue kyu na badalna pade 😌

Hai itni power? 😏 https://t.co/N1FUqg6QUM

— Pikachu⚡ (@YoNoPrejudices) September 28, 2023

And they wanted indian team to travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup and would want the same for CT 2025.
Dushman Mulk ko kyu bula rhe ho? https://t.co/UwKDrzPQsT

— Jatin Sharma (@jatincricket) September 28, 2023

And here in Hyderabad, they are welcomed with so much love! It's all over social media and the captain shared a post in insta!! https://t.co/5cdw25sGdq

— amaranthine (@shravs16) September 28, 2023

 

No ball Mr Chairman. Your players were given a warm reception by the Indians and you are barking up the wrong tree. It seems he himself is a ‘dushman’ of his own Pakistani players #ZakaAshraf https://t.co/eMuNoHOitI

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) September 28, 2023

 

Ashraf has a history of making notable verbal gaffes that garner media attention. In July, at the schedule and trophy unveiling ceremony for the 2023 Asia Cup, the PCB chairman mistakenly referred to Shaheen Afridi as one of the world's top ten batsmen.

"If you talk about Shaheen Shah Afridi, his name comes in the top 10 batsmen," Ashraf had said.