Amid growing speculation surrounding Fakhar Zaman’s absence from Pakistan’s national cricket squad, conflicting statements from the team’s captain and the star batsman himself have taken center stage. Muhammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s white-ball captain, suggested that Fakhar’s exclusion was related to fitness concerns, but the left-handed opener has confidently denied these claims, insisting he is fully fit and ready to perform.
Speaking to the media ahead of Pakistan’s South Africa tour, Rizwan clarified that Fakhar’s omission was not due to personal differences, emphasizing his value to the team as a match-winner. “No one has any personal issues with Fakhar Zaman. Selectors and everyone knows he is a match-winner,” Rizwan stated. He also expressed optimism about the team’s preparations, particularly highlighting the potential of Pakistan’s bowling attack to excel in South African conditions. Rizwan added that the return of key players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah had bolstered the squad’s strength.
However, Fakhar Zaman, currently competing in the Champions T20 Cup, presented a contrasting narrative. During an interview after his Markhors team’s match, he confidently dismissed concerns about his fitness. “I’m fit, and that’s why I’m playing. If there is a chance, I will play,” Fakhar said. He expressed gratitude for his contributions to Pakistan’s cricket history, particularly his performances in past Champions Trophy events, and reiterated his goal of delivering strong performances whenever given the opportunity.
The debate around Fakhar’s fitness gained further complexity with remarks from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who pointed out that Zaman had failed a fitness test and faced internal disciplinary action over controversial social media comments. While Naqvi acknowledged that Zaman’s criticism of the selection committee’s decisions had drawn a show-cause notice, he emphasized that fitness was the primary reason for his exclusion. “There is an issue regarding his tweet, but it is not as important as his fitness,” Naqvi stated. He also reaffirmed the PCB’s zero-tolerance policy regarding public criticism of internal decisions.
Fakhar’s absence from recent tours and his removal from the PCB’s central contracts after eight years have raised eyebrows. Despite this, the batsman remains optimistic about his future in the national team, underscoring his commitment to performing at the highest level.