Pakistan’s opening batter Fakhar Zaman found himself in the spotlight recently after addressing Babar Azam’s exclusion from the national squad for the second and third Test matches against England.
Fakhar wasn’t just another voice on social media. He made headlines by openly defending Babar, drawing parallels to how India handled Virat Kohli’s lean patch between 2020 and 2023.
Argument Of Fakhar Zaman
In a post on X, Fakhar expressed his concern over the suggestions to drop Babar Azam, a player who many consider the best Pakistan has produced. Fakhar emphasized that sidelining such a key player during a rough patch could send a damaging message to the entire team.
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He reflected on how India stood by Kohli during his struggles, even when his averages were low—19.33, 28.21, and 26.50 in different years. Despite that, the Indian team never hit the panic button, trusting Kohli to regain his form.
Fakhar believes Pakistan should take a similar approach with Babar, instead of shaking his confidence by dropping him.
“It’s concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023,” Fakhar wrote. “If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, it could send a deeply negative message across the team.”
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PCB’s Response
However, the post did not sit well with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and they issued a show-cause notice to Fakhar Zaman. In response to the show-cause notice, Fakhar clarified that his remarks were out of respect for Babar and the team.
He reiterated that Babar, one of the best batters in the world, deserves the same kind of backing Kohli received from India. Fakhar’s argument wasn’t just about Babar’s performance; it was about the broader message this sends to the team.
During tough times, a player’s morale can take a hit, and it’s the team’s responsibility to lift them up, not push them down. “Babar Azam is one of the best batters in the world, and that’s why I felt compelled to express my opinion,” Fakhar clarified.
“I believe Babar deserved a chance during tough times.”
Fakhar made it clear that he respects the PCB and his statement wasn’t a challenge to the board but a reminder that supporting key players like Babar is crucial for the overall confidence of the team.
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