The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a show cause notice to Fakhar Zaman following his public remarks criticizing the selection committee’s decision to drop Babar Azam for the second and third Tests against England. Zaman expressed his concerns through a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), just moments before Pakistan announced their 16-member squad for the remainder of the series.
Fakhar Zaman’s Criticism of Babar’s Exclusion
In his post, Zaman voiced his discontent with the board’s decision, calling it “concerning” and suggesting that such a move might have negative repercussions on the team morale. Zaman compared Babar Azam’s situation to that of India’s Virat Kohli, pointing out how India supported Kohli during his prolonged lean patch between 2020 and 2023, rather than sidelining him.
Zaman’s post read, “It is 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.”
This statement came just five minutes before Pakistan officially announced the squad, excluding not only Babar Azam but also pacers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah. Zaman’s criticism seemed to target the timing and rationale behind the decision.
PCB’s Response
The PCB swiftly reacted by issuing a show cause notice to Zaman, giving him seven days to explain his comments. The board, traditionally strict about its players speaking out on internal matters, took Zaman’s public remarks as a breach of its code of conduct, which prohibits players from making such comments without prior authorization.
This incident could potentially deepen the rift between Fakhar Zaman and the PCB. Last month, Zaman had already expressed his frustration to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi over issues concerning the board’s director of international cricket operations, Usman Wahla. Zaman had accused Wahla of delaying the issuance of his NOC (No Objection Certificate), which is required for Pakistani players to participate in T20 leagues worldwide.
Babar Azam’s Exclusion and Pakistan’s Upcoming Tests
The exclusion of Babar Azam from the Test squad has sparked considerable debate within cricketing circles. Despite going through a rough patch, Azam remains Pakistan’s top batter and has been a crucial player for the team over the years. His exclusion has raised concerns about how the team management plans to handle the pressure in the ongoing Test series against England.
Pakistan lost the first Test against England by an innings and 47 runs, and with Babar now dropped, the team faces an uphill challenge in the remaining two matches. The absence of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, key members of Pakistan’s bowling attack, adds further pressure on the squad.
Fakhar Zaman’s Future with PCB
Zaman’s outspoken nature and public criticisms have brought him into conflict with the PCB in the past. With this recent show cause notice, his future relations with the board appear uncertain. The PCB, under its current leadership, has shown little tolerance for players airing grievances publicly, and it remains to be seen how Zaman’s explanation will be received.
For now, Zaman has been given a seven-day window to clarify his stance, after which the PCB will decide whether any disciplinary action is warranted.
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