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Fakhar Zaman is expected to be included in the central contracts and also get a call-up to the national white-ball squad as the country’s cricket board has decided to let him off with a reprimand.
Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman (PTI Photo)
Fakhar Zaman has reportedly responded apologetically to the show cause notice issued to him by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for questioning the board’s decision to drop Babar Azam from the second and third Test vs England. The Pakistan opener expressed his concern over Babar’s snub by the newly-appointed selection committee. However, the PCB cited it a breach of Players’ Code of Conduct.
“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 had posted on X.
The dashing left-handed batter was then dropped from the central contracts list for 2024/25 and was also ignored for the series in Australia and Zimbabwe last week. But according to PTI, Zaman is expected to be included in the central contracts and also get a call-up to the national white-ball squad as the country’s cricket board has decided to let him off with a reprimand.
“Fakhar’s reply is apologetic and he has expressed remorse. Internal discussions between the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, selectors and new captain, Mohammad Rizwan bode well for Fakhar,” the source said.
Additionally, the selectors had however told Fakhar to focus on rehabilitating and getting over his knee problem before the white-ball series in South Africa in December.
“He is most likely to be first included in the squad for the SA white ball matches and will then be added to the central contracts list,” the source added.
“Rizwan and the selectors agreed that Fakhar was still required for the white ball squad especially with the Champions Trophy tournament being held in Pakistan early next year.
“The consensus is that first a committee would accept Fakhar’s reply to the show cause notice and he will be cleared for selection and he will undergo a fitness test before the SA tour selection,” he added.
Earlier, Pakistan dropped four players for the remainder of their ongoing Test series against England following an innings defeat in the first match recently. Along with Babar, PCB also dropped Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Aqib Javed, a Pakistan selector, explained the reason behind the decision in a statement. “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,” Aaqib said.
“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 added.
(With Agency Inputs)
- Location :
Karachi, Pakistan
