Earlier on Wednesday, news emerged about the death of legendary Zimbabwe cricketer Heath Streak. Elite news media confirmed the death with many famed names in sports even condoling the demise. However, the veteran fact-checked his own death later in the afternoon, as he responded by saying he was 'upset and hurt' over the media’s inept fact-checking and lack of verification.

Streak is undergoing treatment for liver cancer and was at his home today with his family when news came on major television channels about his death. It appalled him and his family members as tributes started flowing from all quarters.

"It is a total rumor and a lie. I am shocked by how the media handled such a delicate topic with ease. I am shocked as well as hurt. In these times of social media, media should work better to ensure the authenticity of news” Streak, 49, told in his first reaction to media after the controversy.

It was former Zimbabwe star Henry Olanga who shared a WhatsApp screenshot he had with Streak which shattered the media's purported news of Streak's death. Streak is currently under treatment and is not fully out from the cancer scare. Nevertheless, the Zimbabwean seamer is showing big improvements.