Govt debunks claim of army officer’s death at cricket match

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has rejected social media claims that a Pakistan Army officer died of a heart attack during the Pakistan-Sri Lanka cricket match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, clarifying that the deceased was a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) employee who died from electrocution at his home.

In a fact-check posted on Monday, the ministry said the man was not present at the stadium during the match and had no connection with the event.

The claim was circulated by journalist Naveed Satti, who identified the deceased as Muhammad Farooq, reportedly 50 years old. The post alleged that he had collapsed during the match and was taken to Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Rawalpindi by Rescue 1122, where he later died. It also claimed that he was affiliated with the Pakistan Army and worked at a security agency in Islamabad.

However, the ministry said the information was incorrect. According to the first information report (FIR) cited in its fact-check, Farooq, estimated to be around 60 years old, suffered an electric shock while checking an electrical plug at his residence.

His family contacted Rescue 1122, and he was subsequently taken to a local hospital. The ministry said hospital records identified electrocution as the cause of death.

The fact-check further clarified that Farooq was employed by the PCB and was not affiliated with the Pakistan Army. It added that the incident had no link to the cricket match.

The ministry said the matter would be examined further under the relevant procedures. It also urged the public to verify information through reliable sources before sharing claims on social media.

The incident was wrongly linked to the opening match of the ODI tri-series involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England, which began at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 18.

Pakistan won the opening match by 37 runs after scoring 305 runs and dismissing Sri Lanka for 268. Salman Ali Agha led the batting effort with 107 runs off 90 deliveries.

The seven-match series is being played in Rawalpindi and Lahore as part of preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.