Lahore (Pakistan News Online) Pakistan Cricket Board has excluded Fakhar Zaman from the squad against Australia and Zimbabwe leaving the star disheartened, fakhar’s close sources are claiming that he is thinking about announcing retirement from international cricket and focusing on league cricket.
According to details, PCB has removed Fakhar Zaman from the central contract and also omitted former captain Sarfarz. Last year, Fakhar was part of Category B but was left out entirely this season.
The PCB’s Chairman Mohsin Naqvi addressed the issue in a recent press conference, citing Fakhar’s social media posts and ongoing fitness issues as key concerns. He mentioned that while Fakhar had raised fitness concerns, he had also been issued a show-cause notice for his tweets. Naqvi added, “A player cannot start tweeting just because the selection committee has not included him.”
The tension between Fakhar and the PCB appeared to escalate after he voiced his support for Babar Azam on social media, following Babar’s exclusion from the Test squad. Fakhar had posted that sidelining former captain could send a negative message. He compared the situation to the support shown for Virat Kohli during his challenging times by the Indian cricket management.
Sources close to Fakhar reveal that he is unhappy with the current situation, feeling that his dedication to playing selflessly for Pakistan has not been rewarded. While retirement is on his mind, his close friends have urged him not to make any hasty decisions, emphasizing that he could still represent Pakistan for years to come.
In another development, Fakhar is expected to undergo another fitness test in January. PCB sources noted that Fakhar recently failed a fitness challenge that required him to complete a two-kilometer run within eight minutes, which he was unable to accomplish. Additionally, Fakhar is dealing with knee issues that could worsen if he undergoes undue physical stress.
While some speculate that his exclusion could be linked to his outspoken support for Babar and his candid remarks at a recent connection camp, Fakhar has yet to make a final decision regarding his future with Pakistan cricket.