Pakistan’s explosive opener Fakhar Zaman recently missed out from the central contract list for the season 2024-2025. He was also excluded from the white ball squads for Australia and Zimbabwe.
PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi stated, “The tweet was an issue, but the bigger matter is his fitness. There is a show-cause notice pending against him, and we will see about that. He needs to prove his fitness. His viewpoint was appreciated in the Connection Camp, and I am grateful to him for that, but you cannot publicly comment on the selection committee’s decisions. However, the bigger issue remains his fitness,”
It was rumored that Fakhar Zaman is considering taking retirement from international cricket after failing to make his place in the squads for the upcoming white-ball tours. He is one of the most aggressive batters Pakistan has and his retirement can be a big blow for the Pakistan cricket team.
“Look, he is obviously upset and disappointed because the selectors and board have apparently applied different sets of rules while taking fitness tests and clearing players,” a close source to Zaman said.
Zaman, who has been dealing with a knee injury that first came to light in 2022, said he was frustrated over not being selected for the squad. Even though he failed to pass the 2km sprint within the allotted time, he noticed other players who also failed to pass the test were included in the squad. “He feels clarity is required from the selectors on why some players are being favored,” the source added.
Pakistani pacer Muhammed Amir expressed his disappointment over the exclusion of Zaman from the white ball squads. “I am surprised that Fakhar Zaman is not in the team. He is the only impact player we have in white-ball cricket.” Amir said.
I am surprised that @FakharZamanLive is not in the team. He is the only impact player we have in white ball cricket.
— Mohammad Amir (@iamamirofficial) October 27, 2024
Zaman rose to fame just after hitting a match-winning ton in the final of Champions Trophy 2017 which led Pakistan to a historic title win over arch-rivals India.
The 34-year-old has played 3 Tests, 82 ODI’s, and 92 T20I for Pakistan so far. He has scored 3492 runs at an average of 46.56 with 11 hundreds and 16 fifties in ODI with the highest score of 210 runs against Zimbabwe. He has scored 1848 T20I runs at a strike rate of 132.95.
Is there an issue between Zaman and SAYA Corps?
Fakhar zaman’s elder brother Gohar Zaman stated, “As an elder brother, I confirm that Fakhar Zaman will not be part of SAYA Corps from today,” This tweet brought up many questions as Pakistan’s many cricketers like new white ball skipper Muhammed Rizwan, Babar Azam are still linked with SAYA Corporation.
A screenshot of the post on X by Fakhar Zaman’s brother – X
Sources, reported that the player’s agency put pressure to have the post removed. Later, Gohar deleted his tweet.
READ MORE: New Pakistan Captain Mohammad Rizwan Promises to Script History Against Australia.
Jasir Basharat is a cricket enthusiast capturing the heart of the game through insightful analysis and storytelling sharing his passion for the sport through engaging narratives. He is a business graduate from University of Kashmir.
