The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a show-cause notice to Fakhar Zaman. The notice followed Zaman’s public remarks on X (formerly Twitter) about the selection committee’s decision to drop Babar Azam for the second and third Tests against England.
Zaman, a left-handed top-order batter, expressed concern over the decision to exclude Pakistan’s captain. He called it “concerning” and said it could send a “deeply negative message” to the team. Zaman urged the PCB to reverse their decision.
Post Appeared for 5 Minutes
His post appeared just five minutes before Pakistan’s 16-member squad for the remaining two Tests against England was announced. As expected, the squad did not include Azam. Additionally, star bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah were also absent from the lineup, a revelation earlier made by Cricbuzz.
In his message, Zaman highlighted how India handled Virat Kohli’s slump in form. He noted that despite Kohli’s struggles from 2020 to 2023, India never benched him. “India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch,” Zaman posted, referencing Kohli’s low averages during those years.
He further argued that Pakistan should avoid pressing the panic button and instead focus on supporting key players like Babar Azam. “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,” Zaman wrote.
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Sparked Debate
The PCB has given Zaman seven days to explain his position. His remarks have sparked debate within the cricketing circles.
This incident could strain the relationship between Zaman and the PCB even further. Last month, Zaman voiced his frustrations directly to PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi. His complaints were reportedly against Usman Wahla, the PCB’s director of international cricket operations.
According to reports, Zaman felt Wahla delayed the process of granting the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to him and other players for T20 leagues. This delay affected their ability to participate in international cricket leagues around the world.
Zaman’s outspoken nature has already brought him into conflict with the board. His latest comments on the selection committee’s decision might deepen the rift. It remains to be seen how the PCB will handle this situation and whether Zaman’s explanation will calm the waters or intensify the tension.
The controversy surrounding Babar Azam’s exclusion has now escalated with Zaman’s remarks. With the England series approaching, all eyes are on the PCB and how they will address these internal conflicts. The cricketing world watches closely as Pakistan grapples with issues that extend beyond just performance on the field.
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