Pakistan Cricket Board 'Not Pleased', Sounds Out Fakhar Zaman For Controversial Tweet On Babar Azam. (File)
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed unhappiness with opener Fakhar Zaman after the southpaw questioned the selection panel's decision to sideline Babar Azam from the Test side.
Zaman took to X to question the PCB after it dropped former captain Babar Azam while announcing the squad for the remaining two Tests against England in Multan and Rawalpindi.
"It's concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively.
"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. There is still time to avoid pressing the panic button; we should focus on safeguarding our key players rather than undermining them," Zaman wrote on social media platform.
This did not go down well with the PCB. "The top board officials are not pleased with the tweet sent out by Fakhar and relevant persons are having a word with him about it," a PCB source was quoted as saying by PTI.
"Azhar made it clear to Babar that he remained an integral part of Pakistan cricket’s future set-up and planning,” the source added while explaining that former captain had spoken to length with Babar on Saturday.
Aqib Javed, another selector on board, explained how it was challenging for them to select the Test squad for the two tests.
"We've had to carefully consider current player form, the urgency to bounce back in the series and Pakistan’s demanding 2024-25 international schedule. With these factors in mind and in the best interest of Pakistan cricket as well as the players, we’ve made the decision to rest Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)
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