Mumbai: A Pakistani reporter covering the Champions Trophy in England became a target of trolls after a fake letter purportedly issued by Sri Lanka Cricket declared him persona non grata. The letter, bearing the name and signature of SLC president Thilanga Sumathi-pala, forbade all members of the the Lankan contingent from getting in touch with Syed Yahya Hussaini, a reporter of Geo TV, to avoid bringing bad luck to the team. Sri Lanka were in a must-win situation ahead of their clash against India on Thursday.
Under the caption “URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL”, the letter meant to be circulated for the Sri Lankan team management and the SLC board members stated, “this is to inform the members of the playing staff, as well as the team management that no person representing the Sri Lankan team or the Sri Lanka cricket board is allowed to meet the Pakistani journalist who goes by the name of Syed Yahya Hussaini”.
However, no such letter was issued by the SLC, confirmed the president. “I have not seen anything like this before. Not a letter from SLC,” he added.
“Hussaini took a selfie with Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed and the team lost the match (against India). He took a selfie with AB de Villiers and South Africa also lost the match (against Pakistan). Some overeager Lankan fans probably took a precautionary measure with a fake letter containing SLC’s logo,” another Pakistan reporter said.
