Fakhar Zaman has finally addressed the elephant in the room: his fitness. The explosive left-handed opener, often hailed as a match-winner for Pakistan, was notably absent from the squad announced for the upcoming South Africa tour.
While the official narrative pointed to fitness issues, Fakhar had something different to say when asked during the Champions T20 Cup. “I’m fit, and that’s why I’m playing,” Fakhar stated confidently. His words not only challenged the claims of Pakistan’s interim white-ball head coach Aqib Javed but also raised eyebrows about the real reasons behind his exclusion.
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The Fitness Debate
Fakhar’s exclusion has been a hot topic ever since the squads were announced. Aqib Javed previously mentioned that the southpaw was battling fitness problems and needed to regain form. However, Fakhar’s appearance in the Champions T20 Cup tells a different story.
Fakhar Zaman expressed his hope that he will be recalled for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and play a crucial role in Pakistan’s victories.
“I started my career at the Champions Trophy, and I’m thankful that my performances were good, and we won matches there. In this Champions Trophy, my only effort will be to play well and win games,” he stated
A Long Absence Raises Questions
Fakhar hasn’t represented Pakistan since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June 2024. Since then, the selection committee has overlooked him for the white-ball tours of Australia and Zimbabwe, citing fitness concerns as the main reason. Aqib Javed even stated, “Whenever he gets fit, the selection committee will definitely consider him for selection.”
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Interestingly, reports suggest that Fakhar was under consideration for the South Africa tour. Yet, when the final squads were revealed, his name was missing. Aqib doubled down on the fitness angle, saying, “Fakhar Zaman was not considered as he is yet to regain form and match fitness.”
These mixed signals from the PCB and the selection committee leave fans in a state of confusion. If Fakhar is fit enough to play domestic T20 cricket, why isn’t he fit enough for national duty?
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