Daily Times

Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, has addressed the exclusion of Fakhar Zaman from the national team squad, saying that the decision was not due to any personal bias but rather health concerns.

Rizwan’s statement came in a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in response to speculation surrounding Zaman’s omission from national sqaud for upcoming South Africa tour.

In the video, Muhammad Rizwan explained that Fakahar Zaman, despite being a key player for Pakistan, had been dropped from the squad due to “illness”. “There’s nothing personal about Fakhar Zaman’s exclusion,” Rizwan said, adding that the 32-year-old’s absence was not related to a fitness issue or a failure in any fitness test.

Instead, Rizwan clarified that Zaman had been suffering from a viral fever, which had affected his ability to participate in the squad. “From what I personally know, Fakhar has been unwell. It’s not just a fitness issue; it’s a viral fever that has kept him out,” Rizwan stated. “We are all hopeful that Fakhar will rejoin the team soon,” he further noted. Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman, who is currently playing for Markhors in the ongoing Champions T20 Cup, has addressed rumors regarding his fitness. In response to speculation, Zaman stated that he is fit and that his participation in the tournament proves his readiness for the game.

“I’m fit, and that’s why I’m playing. If there is a chance, I will play,” he said.

Fakhar, who has been a key player for Pakistan in recent years, was dropped from the country’s white-ball squads during their recent tours of Australia and Zimbabwe.

Zaman was also excluded from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) central contracts for the first time in eight years. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that both fitness issues and Zaman’s controversial social media comments played a role in the decision.

Naqvi addressed the issue during a recent press conference, acknowledging that Zaman’s public criticism of the selection committee’s decision to drop Babar Azam from the Test squad was a contributing factor. However, he emphasised that Zaman’s failure to pass the fitness test was the primary reason for his exclusion.

“There is an issue regarding his tweet, but it is not as important as his fitness,” Naqvi said. “He is also facing a show-cause notice, but the main concern is his fitness test, which he failed to clear.”