Ratan Tata refutes claim of reward on Rashid Khan

Ratan Tata, Honorary Chairman of Tata Sons.

Industrialist Ratan Tata has issued a statement on his official X handle to refute claims that he offered financial reward to Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan. The post comes days after some small news outlets and social media platforms claimed that the Tata Sons chairman emeritus had promised the cricketer Rs 10 crore as the International Cricket Council (ICC) celebrated the Indian Premier League match. He was reportedly fined for displaying the flag. Their win against Pakistan in a match of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023.

The industrialist said he has “no connection with cricket” and people should not believe WhatsApp forwards. “I have not made any suggestion to the ICC or any cricket faculty regarding any cricket member regarding penalty or reward on any player. I have no connection whatsoever with cricket. Please refrain from such WhatsApp forwards and videos. Don’t believe it unless they come from my official platform,” Mr Tata, formerly of X, said on Twitter.

I have not made any suggestion to the ICC or any cricket faculty to any cricket member regarding any penalty or reward on any player.

I have no connection whatsoever with cricket.

Please do not believe such WhatsApp forwards and videos unless they come from my official…

– Ratan N. Tata (@RNTata2000) 30 October 2023

Many users had earlier claimed that Mr Tata was helping the Afghanistan player. One user wrote on October 27, “I congratulate Mr. Ratan Tata for giving financial support to cricketer Rashid Khan, who was fined Rs 55 lakh by ICC for hoisting the Indian flag on his chest while celebrating the victory over Pakistan.” A fine has been imposed.”

Another claimed, “Pakistan complains to ICC after celebrating win with Indian flag, ICC fines Rasheed Khan 55 lakhs, but Ratan Tata announces 10 crores to Rasheed Khan.”

Meanwhile, Afghanistan pulled off another upset in the Cricket World Cup 2023, defeating Pakistan by eight wickets in Chennai on Monday. Afghanistan achieved the target of 283 runs in 49 overs in front of bowlers like Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali. Pakistan had scored 282 runs for 7 wickets in 50 overs with the help of captain Babar Azam’s 74 runs and opener Abdullah Shafiq’s 58 runs.

After his victory, former Indian cricket team star Irfan Pathan was also seen dancing with Rashid Khan.

The team will play Sri Lanka today at the high-scoring Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.