The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a show-cause notice to opening batter Fakhar Zaman after his public comments about the decision to drop star batter Babar Azam. Zaman’s remarks came just minutes before the PCB’s official announcement, igniting a debate about whether the board is making a wise choice or pressing the panic button.
What’s the Story?
The newly appointed selection committee surprised everyone on Sunday by leaving out Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, and Sarfaraz Ahmed for the second and third Tests against England.
Read More: The Fall Of Babar Azam: Once On Top, Now Out Of The Team
The news leaked before the PCB had a chance to officially announce it, and Fakhar Zaman didn’t hold back his disappointment. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Fakhar voiced his concerns, comparing the situation to how India handled Virat Kohli during his rough patch from 2020 to 2023.
“It’s concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively,” Fakhar wrote.
The Fakhar vs. PCB Drama
Zaman didn’t stop at just defending Babar. He went on to call him “arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced.” It’s a bold statement, but one that many fans would agree with. Fakhar also warned that sidelining such a key player could send a “deeply negative message” to the rest of the squad.
Read More: Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi’s Exclusion Shocks Pakistan Dressing Room
“If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced, it could send a deeply negative message across the team. There is still time to avoid pressing the panic button; we should focus on safeguarding our key players rather than undermining them,” he added.
And now, he has seven days to explain his comments to the PCB. This isn’t the first time Fakhar has been at odds with the board. Just last month, he expressed frustration over delays in securing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players participating in international T20 leagues.
Fakhar’s comments highlight a bigger issue: How do teams handle their star players during slumps? Virat Kohli went through a tough few years but was never dropped. India backed him, and he eventually found his form again.
Fakhar seems to be arguing that Babar deserves the same level of trust. The PCB, however, sees it differently. They believe giving these players a break is in “the best interest of Pakistan cricket.”
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