Fakhar Zaman has found himself in the headlines again, but not for his signature blazing shots or those stunning sixes. This time, it’s a mix of social media drama, his exclusion from the team and fitness issues. So, what has exactly happened?
The Social Media Slip and its Aftermath
It all started when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to drop Babar Azam from the squad after a tough loss to England in the first Test. Fakhar Zaman didn’t hold back his thoughts and took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his support for Babar.
A post in favour of a teammate might sound harmless, but in the PCB’s eyes, Fakhar’s tweet went against the board’s code of conduct. Soon after, PCB slapped Fakhar with a show-cause notice.
Not only that, he was removed from the central contract list. To make things even harder, he was dropped from upcoming tours to Australia and Zimbabwe.
But as they say, time heals wounds—or at least smooth them over. New reports now suggest that the PCB may have softened its stance. Fakhar recently submitted his response to the PCB’s notice, and it seems his clarification hit the right notes with the board.
Rumour has it that progress could be made on his situation in the coming days, and his exile from the national team might just be temporary.
Read More: Mohammad Rizwan Takes A Dig At ‘King’ Babar Azam After Becoming Captain
Support from Mohammad Rizwan
Amid all the drama, there’s one voice that’s been vocal about bringing Fakhar back—newly appointed white-ball skipper Mohammad Rizwan. Rizwan reportedly urged the PCB to reconsider, emphasising Fakhar’s value to the team.
Rizwan’s support hasn’t gone unnoticed, adding weight to the argument that Fakhar’s suspension might be a tad bit harsh. And if you’ve heard the whispers about Fakhar’s retirement, they’re just rumours.
Despite feeling disheartened over the contract snub, Fakhar has no intentions of walking away from international cricket. He’s disappointed, yes, but he’s not done yet.
Read More: Pakistan Central Contracts: Surprises, Promotions & Big Names Missing
Fakhar’s Fitness Struggles
While the social media post may have stirred the pot, the PCB insists there’s more to the story. According to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Fakhar’s exclusion wasn’t solely about the tweet; it was also about his fitness.
Fakhar has been nursing a knee issue since 2022, which he believes impacted his performance in recent fitness tests. Mohsin emphasised that the selectors want Fakhar to prioritise his health, suggesting he needs to complete rehab and pass the required fitness tests to rejoin the squad.
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