ENG vs PAK: Pakistani veteran batter, Fakhar Zaman made the headlines when his post on the social media handle X went viral after the Pakistan Cricket Board decided to have Babar Azam dropped from the Test squad after losing the first Test at Multan in a humiliating fashion.
The PCB took this outrageous step on the back of several disappointing performances from the end of the veteran batter. Arguably one of the best of his times, as well as the finest ever produced by the nation of Pakistan, Babar is a modern-day legend and holds a special place in the hearts of peers and fans.
However, owing to his dismaying form in the longest format of the game he has finally been dropped from the Pakistan squad for the Second and Third tests against England. This decision was made when Pakistan extended their losing streak against England in the first Multan test despite a 550+ total in the first innings.
Alongside, Babar Azam, the two veteran pacers duo of Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi was also dropped from the squad in order to feature the likes of the three new spinners Zahid Mehmood, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan.
The decision seemed to go in favour of the new selector Azhar Ali, as Kamran Ghulam brought in as Babar’s replacement scored a maiden hundred on debut. Also, the two new spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali picked the 20 wickets between them, as Pakistan ended their losing streak at home.
However, Fakhar Zaman was one of the front-running commenters on Babar’s exclusion as he allegedly made disrespectful remarks over the PCB on Babar’s exclusion and also drew comparisons with Indian great Virat Kohli.
The PCB responded in a strict manner against the player, as they issued a show-cause notice to him. The Pakistani cricketer opined that his tweet was in support of a fellow compatriot, while he also shared his support for PCB.
“Babar Azam is one of the best batters in the world, and that’s why I felt compelled to express my opinion. I believe Babar Azam deserved a chance during tough times, reflecting on the PCB’s central contract as a fellow player. The PCB is our institution, and we will continue to respect it,” quoting Fakhar Zaman’s tweet in response to PCB’s show-cause notice.
