Srinagar: Pakistan premier opener, Fakhar Zaman has cleared on the issue of criticising PCB over Babar Azam exclusion from Pakistan Test squad.
Fakhar Zaman who was omitted from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) central contracts list for the 2024-25 season, spoke about claims regarding his fitness and alleged criticism of the PCB.
In an interview with a private media outlet, Fakhar denied targeting the PCB.
“Later on, I did think it would have been better if I hadn’t posted the tweet. But people misunderstood it as criticism of the board’s decision, which is 100% wrong,” Fakhar said.
He clarified that his tweet was directed at journalists and former cricketers who had called for dropping the star batter from Pakistan’s squad.
“I tweeted before the team announcement—about three days earlier. I saw some journalists and ex-players saying Babar should be dropped. I felt they were disregarding his contributions, so I responded. It wasn’t a criticism of the board,” he explained.
“I had an understanding with the PCB that I would rest for two months. I wasn’t aware of my condition when the team was departing for Australia. Later, I found out I was suffering from hyperthyroidism. Now, I am thankful I didn’t travel with the team because you cannot perform in such a condition,” Fakhar said.
Previously, Chief Selector Naqvi stated in a press conference in Lahore that Fakhar’s fitness, along with his tweet, were factors in his omission.
“There is definitely the issue of the tweet. But that doesn’t matter as much as his fitness tests. He had two issues: the fitness test and the show-cause notice, which is still pending. That is why he hasn’t been included in the central contracts list,” Naqvi said.