The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken a serious stance against Fakhar Zaman, issuing him a show-cause notice for a social media post supporting Babar Azam. The controversy erupted after news broke that Babar had been dropped from Pakistan’s squad for the second and third Tests against England. Fakhar took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts on the decision before the official announcement from the PCB.
Fakhar’s Post Raises Concerns
Fakhar expressed concern over the move, calling it “troubling” and arguing that “sidelining arguably the best batter Pakistan has ever produced” could send a “negative message” to the entire cricketing community. He urged the PCB to “protect” its players rather than “undermine” them. His comments quickly gained attention, but not all of it was positive.
“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
PCB’s Reaction to Fakhar’s Post
The PCB accused Fakhar of bringing Pakistan cricket into disrepute, saying he violated the code of conduct for centrally contracted players by publicly criticizing the board. As per PCB rules, players are expected to raise any concerns privately rather than airing them on social media. The board expressed disappointment that Fakhar chose to make his comments publicly.
The show-cause notice was issued on October 13, 2024, and Fakhar has yet to respond. The outcome will depend on his response and whether he admits to breaching the code of conduct. As of now, Fakhar’s post is still up on his X account, and neither he nor the PCB has issued any further comments on the situation.
PCB’s Explanation for Babar’s Omission
The PCB has said that Babar was rested for the remainder of the series to prepare for upcoming white-ball series against Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. However, the decision has raised questions, especially considering the significance of the ongoing Test series, where Pakistan is trailing 1-0. Babar did not request a rest and was willing to participate in the remaining matches. His recent form in Test cricket has been poor, with no half-century in his last 18 innings, which may have influenced the decision.
What’s Next for Fakhar?
With the notice issued, Fakhar’s next step will be crucial. If he chooses to defend his statement, it could lead to a disciplinary hearing, and penalties may include fines or even a temporary suspension. This incident adds to the ongoing challenges facing the PCB as it looks to address internal issues and boost the team’s performance.
The situation involving Fakhar Zaman and the PCB highlights the tension between players and the cricket board. The outcome of this dispute will be closely watched as it unfolds, especially with Pakistan’s cricket team struggling to find consistency in the ongoing Test series. Keep up with the latest news and updates at findcric.com.
