Opening a test Fakhar Zamanwho recently criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for refusing Babar Azam from the Test squad, removed from the central contract list for the 2024–25 season. After Pakistan’s heavy defeat to England in the first Test against England, the new PCB selection committee took the bold decision to exclude out-of-form players, including Babar, from the squad for the remaining two Tests. However, Fakhar criticized the PCB over the issue in a long post on social media.
Fakhar compared Babar’s drought to the drought in India Virat Kohliwhich experienced a lean period between 2020 and the end of 2022. Reacting to Fakhar’s exclusion from the list of centrally contracted players, fans speculated that the player was being fined for supporting Babar.
Imagine throwing someone of Fakhar’s caliber on pitches that suit him, bouncy and fast in Australia, yes he could be a little more political but you can’t punish him for speaking his mind, tying it to the center. contract
— Hannan (@withhannan) October 27, 2024
Fakhar Zaman sacrificed his career for Babar Azam. He may never play for Pakistan again.@FakharZamanLive @babarazam258 pic.twitter.com/pN0ZA9fgaF
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 27, 2024
Fakhar himself is to blame for this. He had a contract and acted like a retired cricketer, expressing his views on the non-selection of Babar Azam. Stupid move.
I hope Babar Azam tweets for him now https://t.co/WRryMlCngf
— LH (@Edwardian842) October 27, 2024
Meanwhile, during a press conference on Sunday, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi addressed and clarified the reasons for Fakhar’s absence from the central contract list.
Naqvi confirmed that although the Board of Directors had sent Fakhar a notice of performance which was pending, the decision to remove him from the main contract list was taken due to issues with his fitness.
“There is an issue with his tweet, but it is not as important as his fitness test. One impression notification is expected for it. That is why we have not included his name in the central contract list,” Mohsin Naqvi said.
“This can’t happen, if the selection committee doesn’t pick one player then other players will start tweeting to express their displeasure. Players are not allowed to act this way and we will never allow it. The main problem with him is his physical form.” A test he couldn’t clear,” he added.
Mohammad Rizwan was on Sunday named Pakistan ODI and T20 captain, replacing Babar Azam, as the selectors announced the squads for the tours of Australia and Zimbabwe, which begin on November 4.
Salman Ali Agha has been named vice-captain for all future ODI and T20 international assignments.
Pakistan will play three ODIs and as many T20Is on their tour of Australia, starting with the first match in Melbourne (ODI) on November 4, and this will be Rizwan’s first assignment as captain.
Agha will lead the T20I team in Zimbabwe as Rizwan is rested as part of a workload management plan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.
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