Karachi – Pakistani cricketer Fakhar Zaman has expressed disappointment after being excluded from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) list of centrally contracted players. This news comes as he was also left out of the squad for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia.
Background on Fakhar Zaman’s Exclusion
Fakhar, known for being the only Pakistani batsman to score a double hundred in ODIs, has reportedly been struggling with a knee injury since 2022. According to sources close to him, he is upset about the inconsistent application of fitness tests among players. While Fakhar failed to meet the time required in a two-kilometre sprint test, other players who also did not meet the standards were still selected for the team.
Concerns Over Fitness Standards
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi acknowledged Fakhar’s fitness issues as a significant reason for his omission. He stated, “He has not been 100% fit in recent times and has failed fitness tests. The selectors have told him to rehab and clear the fitness tests.” Naqvi also mentioned a breach of the board’s code of conduct, linked to a tweet from Fakhar regarding Babar Azam’s selection, but clarified that this was not the sole reason for his exclusion.
Different Perspectives
Some believe that Fakhar’s open criticism of PCB officials during a recent Connection Camp has led to his punishment. Insiders suggest that his transparency about the board’s performance may have contributed to the decision to drop him from the contract list.
What’s Next for Fakhar?
Despite the disappointment, Fakhar Zaman is reportedly not considering retirement from international cricket. He hopes for clarity from selectors regarding the fitness criteria and decisions made during player selection.
