KARACHI: According to the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency, opener Fakhar Zaman is “upset” that he was left off the list of players with central contracts by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), but he has no plans to retire from international cricket.
Fakhar, the only batter from Pakistan to reach a double hundred in ODIs, was not only removed off the contract list on Sunday, but he was also left off the roster for the forthcoming white-ball series in Australia.
An insider close to Fakhar told PTI, “Look, he is obviously upset and disappointed because the selectors and board have apparently applied different sets of rules while taking fitness tests and clearing players.”
According to the source, Fakhar, who has been dealing with a knee ache since 2022, was upset because, despite not finishing the two-kilometer sprint test in the allotted time, several other players had not fulfilled the time requirements and were still selected for the team.
“He believes that the selectors need to explain why certain players are being given preference,” the person continued.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated on Sunday that although Fakhar’s tweet regarding Babar Azam’s selection violated the board’s player conduct policy, it was not the sole reason for his dismissal.
Mohsin also mentioned Fakhar’s low level of fitness as justification for ignoring him for the time being.
“A committee will investigate his violation of the code of conduct, but he has apparently replied to the showcause notice that was sent to him,” Mohsin stated. However, the main cause is that he has failed fitness tests and hasn’t been really fit lately. The PCB chief had stated, “The selectors have instructed him to undergo rehabilitation and pass the fitness tests.”
However, another school of thought holds that some PCB officials did not appreciate Fakhar’s criticism of their performance during last month’s Connection Camp. They think that because of his candor during that meeting, Fakhar has been penalized.
