PCB Demands Public Apology Over ‘Fake News’ Targeting National Cricketers – SUCH TV

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board has demanded a public apology from a journalist over what it described as “agenda-driven fake news” targeting the character of Pakistan’s national cricketers.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the PCB strongly condemned the broadcast of unverified allegations against a Pakistan player, calling the report baseless and unacceptable.

PCB Warns of Legal Action

The cricket board said the reporter responsible for the news must issue a public apology immediately, warning that failure to do so could lead to strict legal action.

“Agenda-driven fake news targeting the character of our players is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the PCB said.

The board added that it would take all necessary steps to address what it termed malicious reporting if the apology is not issued promptly.

Controversy Over Report

The controversy began after a local media outlet aired a report alleging that a Pakistani cricketer had been involved in inappropriate behaviour at a hotel, claiming that staff had filed a complaint with team management.

The report also suggested that the player had violated the team’s code of conduct and was fined following a preliminary internal review.

Allegations Denied

However, the PCB dismissed the claims as false and misleading, stating that the news lacked verification.

A representative of the player, Mirza, also rejected the allegations in a social media statement and announced plans to pursue legal action against the media outlet.

He criticised the broadcast as “cheap journalism”, stressing that no media organisation should air unverified reports about national athletes.

The PCB reiterated its commitment to protecting the reputation and dignity of Pakistan’s cricketers against what it described as irresponsible reporting.