'What's wrong with that?': Shadab Khan reacts to Pakistan cricketers texting female actors remark

Pakistan cricketer Shadab Khan. (AFP Photo)

Pakistan cricketer Shadab Khan gave his take on the ongoing discussions about cricketers texting female actors saying that the issue is exaggerated and some actors like to gain publicity from making such claims. Speaking on a show named "Hasna Mana Hai", Khan responded to a query of a fan if he had ever texted actresses.

“Most female actors claim that cricketers send messages to them on social media, so have you ever messaged any actors?” a fan asked during the show.

Shadab defended cricketers, stating that there is nothing inherently wrong with such interactions. "Even if cricketers send messages, what’s wrong with that?" he questioned.

He further pointed out that social media allows users to block or ignore unwanted messages. "Everyone has the option to block. If you don’t like it, just don’t respond. However, actors also reply at times, and their responses seem to indicate interest, as if they want to engage in conversation," Shadab added.

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The 26-year-old revealed that conversations about cricketers messaging actors do come up in the dressing room. He noted that such topics tend to gain attention during major tournaments, suggesting that some claims might be driven by a desire for publicity.

“We have seen some videos in which things are exaggerated but it doesn’t turn out like that. Some actors do it for fame, like during a tournament or World Cup such things come out because everyone is keeping their eyes on it,” he said.

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Shadab’s comments come in response to claims made by TikToker Shahtaj Khan, who alleged last year that she had been in contact with him on WhatsApp and Instagram and had even proposed marriage. However, Shadab, who has been married for over two years to Malaika, the daughter of former Pakistan cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq, denied these allegations.

Shahtaj expressed disappointment over Shadab’s marriage, claiming she was unaware of it at the time. “I was disheartened when he got married, which I think is a normal reaction when your crush marries someone else. I was talking to him then, but I had no idea he was about to get married,” she stated.

Shadab, however, dismissed the claims, asserting, “There’s nothing like what’s being alleged.”