Fact Check: Did Taliban refuse to sponsor Afghan cricket team for T20 World Cup?
As India plays against Afghanistan on Wednesday in the ICC T20 World Cup, rumours that the Taliban has refused to sponsor the Afghan cricket team are circulating on social media.
Hyderabad: As India plays against Afghanistan on Wednesday in the ICC T20 World Cup, rumours that the Taliban has refused to sponsor the Afghan cricket team are circulating on social media. Netizens claim that captain Mohammad Nabi is sponsoring the team.
The post reads "Taliban refused to sponsor the Afghan cricket team to the T20 World Cup 2021. Mohammad Nabi came forward and spent his own money to get the team to the World Cup. He is sponsoring the Afghan Team with his own money."
Did you Know? Taliban refused to sponsor the Afghan Cricket team to #ICC#T20WorldCup2021, Mohammad Nabi came forward & spent his own money to get the team to the World Cup. He is sponsoring the Afghan Team with his own money.#INDvsNZ@C4CRICVENKATESH
Taliban refused to sponsor the Afghan cricket team to T20 worldCup 2021 Mohammad Nabi Came forward & spent his own money to get the team to the world cup. He is Sponsoring the Afghan Team with his own money.If the isn't Love with Country, then what Is? No Memes Please Respect😞🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/H5N3oZkpPn
On 14 October, the Afghanistan Cricket Board tweeted that the Sediki Grup has officially secured the Afghan National team's sponsorship rights for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. It was the highest bidder with $450,000 and is the official sponsors for the team. Clearly, Mohammad Nabi did not spend his own money to sponsor the team.
#SedikiGrup officially secures the Afghan National team's Sponsorship rights for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. Having won as the highest bidder with $450,000.00 Sidiki Grup is the official sponsor of the Afghanistan National Team. More about SG: https://t.co/XlxtLF2TzJpic.twitter.com/8Z4kJ6IDjd
In an interview with India Today, the Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO Hamid Shinwari said that the Taliban has been supportive of the game in the country and that players will not face any trouble representing the senior national team. Shinwari said he doesn't see any impediments for the sport in the country even after the regime change.
The Tablian indeed seems to support the team as Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban spokesperson and its representative to the United Nations, congratulated the team when it won against Namibia.
India Today reached out to Mohammad Nabi and received confirmation through his sports and media management company that the viral message is fake.
Clearly, the Afghan team is not being sponsored by Mohammad Nabi for the T20 World Cup. Thus, the claim is false.
Claim Review:Taliban refused to sponsor the Afghan cricket team for the T20 World Cup 2021. Mohammad Nabi is sponsoring the Afghan Team with his own money.