Pakistan’s electronic media regulation authority (PEMRA) Friday took notice of complaint filed by opener Mohammad Hafeez on a negative campaign over his injury during the Asia Cup and World Twenty20.
Hafeez suffered a femur bone injury during the Asia Cup held in Bangladesh late February but continued to play by taking injections until the pain aggravated and he had to miss the last two matches in the World Twenty20 held in India.
But some television channel alleged Hafeez faked injury to avoid playing in crunch matches.
Team sources said Hafeez wanted to play even in the pain but was not considered fit enough as he could not run properly during fitness tests and was not risked.
“There was no element of faking injury. In fact one should have praised Hafeez that he played through injury, risking a long layoff, just for the team and instead of praising his sincerity he was alleged to have faked the injury, which was very unprofessional and full of malice,” said team sources.
PEMRA media department said Hafeez met its chief Absar Alam in Islamabad this week and raised the issue, which he alleged was done to raise TRP (television rating points) by some channels.
“In his complaint Hafeez mentioned unprofessional and irresponsible reporting by some channels (without naming anyone) and said that his version was not taken,” said a PEMRA release.
The release quoted Hafeez saying the negative campaign hurt him badly and his family went through difficult times.
“I have always played with sincerity and as an ambassador of Pakistan but false stories hurt my image badly and it should be stopped,” the release quoted Hafeez as saying.
PEMRA said the complaint center is investigating the matter.