Certainly! The International Cricket Council (ICC) released a promotional video ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup, which featured the renowned Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. The video quickly gained widespread attention and became viral, creating a lot of excitement among cricket fans worldwide.
However, this promotional video faced criticism from former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar. He expressed his disappointment with the video’s content because he believed that the captain of Pakistan’s cricket team, Babar Azam, was conspicuously absent from it. Akhtar felt that Babar Azam’s exclusion from the video was a significant oversight and he openly voiced his dissatisfaction.
In the promotional video, other Pakistan players, such as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Wahab Riaz, were featured, representing the Pakistani team. Despite their presence, Akhtar stressed the importance of including Babar Azam, who is considered one of the world’s top batsmen and a key player for Pakistan. Babar’s consistent performance and impressive cricketing skills have earned him a reputation as one of the finest players in the modern game.
Akhtar’s argument centered on the fact that Babar Azam’s inclusion in the promotional video would not only enhance Pakistan’s representation but also add star power to the overall appeal of the video. As the team’s captain and a highly respected cricketer, Babar Azam’s presence would have added more excitement and enthusiasm among the fans.
The promotional video plays a crucial role in building anticipation and generating interest in major sporting events like the ODI World Cup. Therefore, Akhtar’s disappointment was rooted in the belief that the video’s creators missed an opportunity to feature one of Pakistan’s brightest cricketing stars, someone who has the potential to inspire and attract more fans to support the tournament.
It’s worth noting that the inclusion of popular celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan in such promotional videos is a common practice to boost the tournament’s global appeal and reach a wider audience beyond just cricket enthusiasts. Nevertheless, Akhtar’s concern highlighted the significance of giving due recognition to the talents and achievements of players from all participating nations, especially when they hold a prominent position in their respective teams, like Babar Azam does for Pakistan.
