Fakhar Zaman has seemingly paid a heavy price for a social media in support of Babar Azam where he questioned Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to drop the former captain from the Test team for the second and third Test against England.
Fakhar took the cricket fraternity by storm by taking to social media and questioning the newly former selection committee's decision to leave out Babar from the squad. Fakhar compared Babar's lean patch with Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli's poor run of form.
"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," wrote Fakhar.
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…
— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) October 13, 2024
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It was reported in the aftermath of the incident that the PCB were not pleased with the star opener and issued him a showcase notice.
On Sunday (October 27), Fakhar was in for a rude shock as he was not included in the 25-member list of Pakistan players given a central contract for the upcoming year. There was more setback in store for the left-handed batter as he was dropped from both the ODI and T20I side.
Fakhar's exile from the white-ball set-up has come as a big surprise as he has been a vital part of the ODI and T20I squad for the last few years. Many have suspected that the decision to drop Fakhar is due to his social media post.
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See Social Media Reaction
The last 2 ODIs Pak won , Fakhar Zaman was MOTM in both of them The only Pak batter with most MOTM in 50 over ICC tournaments Only player who have the ability to rise in crunch situations and create impact UNFAIR at so many levels pic.twitter.com/MDRjEY2D04
— Areeba (@arieba_chaudryy) October 27, 2024
Will Babar tweet for Fakhar now because far more worse happened to him as he is dropped from central contract as well as main squad?Let's see if they are actually the family they claim to be or it was just a PR agency thing that probably costed Fakhar his remaining career. https://t.co/Cp064SDskZ
— Abdullah (@michaelscottfc) October 27, 2024
Fakhar Zaman has been dropped from central contract, Australia & Zimbabwe series by PCB for tweeting in favor of Babar Azam 💔Shame on you Aqib Javed. You lost my respect today. https://t.co/4hy2Mlu8acpic.twitter.com/OdUmEmRNgj
— A. (@THORthayaar) October 27, 2024
Fakhar Zaman stood by Babar Azam when he was dropped from the Test team. Now Fakhar himself is out of the PCB central contract. pic.twitter.com/sny9lxSkw4
— iffi (@iffiViews) October 27, 2024
Fakhar has been dropped the squad just days after his name was suggested as a contender for Pakistan's white-ball captaincy. In his career, the 34-year-old has played 3 Tests, 82 ODIS, and 87 T20Is. He was the star of the Men in Green's 2017 Champions Trophy win with a century in the final. In last year's 2023 Cricket World Cup, Fakhar turned around Pakistan's campaign after being recalled to the playing XI but it was not enough to seal a semi-final place for them.
"Tweet was one issue, but the bigger matter was that of fitness. There is a show-cause notice pending against him, and we will see about that. He would need to prove his fitness, his point of view was valued in the Connection Camp and I am very thankful to him for that but you cannot go around commenting on the selection committee over selection calls. But ya, the bigger issue is of selection," said PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Fakhar's non-selection.