Pakistan’s opener Fakhar Zaman is reportedly contemplating retirement after being excluded from the latest central contracts and the white-ball squads for the upcoming Australia and Zimbabwe tours. Sources close to Fakhar suggest that his morale has taken a hit due to the selectors’ approach and what he perceives as inconsistent standards in fitness evaluations.
Recently, Fakhar was asked to undergo another fitness test in January 2025. However, the selection process is now under scrutiny for alleged double standards. Fakhar reportedly missed the 2-kilometer run benchmark due to a knee issue, clocking in over the required 8 minutes. Meanwhile, Usman Khan, who was unable to complete his own test, still received a contract and spots on both upcoming tours.
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) central contract list notably omitted Fakhar, who previously held a B-category contract. Insiders hint that Fakhar’s outspoken support for Babar Azam and comments at the connection camp might have influenced this decision.
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Although Fakhar hasn’t made a final decision on retirement, close friends are urging him to reconsider, reminding him of his potential for continued contributions to Pakistan cricket.
Reports also indicate potential disparities in player treatment. For instance, Imam-ul-Haq, who clocked 8 minutes and 11 seconds in his run, narrowly missed the benchmark and was left out of contracts. Conversely, Kamran Ghulam, who completed his run in 8 minutes and 22 seconds, secured a contract. Additionally, while Naseem Shah received a B-category contract despite taking fewer wickets than Haris Rauf in the same period, Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s top wicket-taker across formats since July 2023, was demoted from A to B. Babar Azam, despite an extended period of below-par form, remains in the A category.
