Ratan Tata, an Indian industrialist and former chairman of Tata Sons, has denied giving prizes to any players involved in viral WhatsApp forwards during the upcoming 2023 World Cup.
The explanation came after multiple false WhatsApp messages stated that Ratan Tata had declared an INR 10 crore award for Afghanistan all-rounder Rashid Khan after his team’s second win in the flagship ICC competition, which came against Pakistan.
Ratan Tata took to social media platform X to debunk the rumours and said that he has no connection to cricket whatsoever. Ratan Tata posted on X (previously known as Twitter) on Monday (October 30):
“I have made no suggestions to the ICC or any cricket faculty about any cricket member regarding a fine or reward to any players. I have no connection to cricket whatsoever. Please do not believe WhatsApp forwards and videos of such nature unless they come from my official platforms.”
Ratan Tata
Rashid Khan, for those who are unaware, recently resorted to social media to solicit funds for rescue and relief activities in Afghanistan’s Herat region. hundreds of people are reliant on charities for survival following earthquakes that killed hundreds and wounded over 10,000.
Rashid Khan’s Afghanistan Shines in World Cup with Two Big Wins
Afghanistan has made good progress in the 2023 World Cup after being winless in the 2019 World Cup.
They defeated England by 69 runs in their first match, as Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman weaved a web for the English batsmen while defending 284.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ikram Alikhil shone with the bat in the batting unit. Gurbaz hit 80 off 57 balls, including four sixes and eight boundaries, while Alikhil hit 58 off 66 balls, including two sixes and three fours.
Afghanistan then defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in a 283-run chase, with the top four batsmen delivering with the bat.
Ibrahim Zadran batted brilliantly, hitting 87 runs off 113 balls, including ten boundaries. Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit 65 off 53 balls, including one maximum and nine boundaries. The pair put up a 130-run partnership for the first wicket.
Meanwhile, Rahmat Shah and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi continued their undefeated streaks with 77 (84) and 48 (45), respectively.
Earlier, Noor Ahmed was named the best bowler, finishing with figures of 3/49 to limit Pakistan to 282/7 in 50 overs.
Rashid Khan is currently playing his 100th ODI in a World Cup match against Sri Lanka on Monday (October 30).
The leg-spinner has taken 178 wickets in 99 matches with an economy of 4.25. The all-rounder has also scored 1267 runs, scoring five 50s.