The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a show-cause notice to Fakhar Zaman following his public criticism of the decision to drop Babar Azam from the squad for the second and third Tests against England.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Zaman voiced his concern regarding reports of Azam’s exclusion, referring to him as “our premier batsman.” He warned that such a decision could send a deeply negative message throughout the team and urged the PCB to reconsider.
“It is concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam,” Zaman stated. “India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023. 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.”
Zaman’s remarks came just minutes before the PCB announced its 16-member squad for the remaining two Tests against England, which notably did not include Azam, along with Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah.
The PCB has given Zaman seven days to clarify his comments, and this incident could further strain his relationship with the board. Last month, Zaman had already expressed frustration over his treatment by PCB Director Usman Wahla, accusing him of delaying No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for participation in international T20 leagues.
While the PCB has yet to publicly respond to Zaman’s remarks, this situation has ignited debate over player management and communication within the team.
