Veteran Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has clarified his contentious post regarding Babar Azam’s exclusion from the last two Tests against England earlier this year. Zaman emphasized that his remarks were not aimed at the board’s decision but at the criticism from former players and fans who called for Babar’s removal despite his achievements.
Babar Azam, Pakistan’s star batter, was sidelined in favor of Kamran Ghulam for the final two Tests against England due to a dip in form. Zaman had posted a tweet highlighting how India supported Virat Kohli during his struggles, arguing that dropping a player of Babar’s caliber sends the wrong message.
The Controversial Tweet
During a recent discussion, Zaman clarified that his post on X (formerly Twitter) was made before the squad announcement. He stated that his tweet was a reaction to social media criticism of Babar Azam, not the board’s decision. In an interview with India Today, he explained:
“I later realized that I shouldn’t have tweeted, but people completely misunderstood it. They thought I was criticizing the board’s decision, which is entirely incorrect. If you check the timing of the tweet, it was posted before the board announced their decision. For 2-3 days, I saw journalists and former players criticizing Babar despite all he’s done for the team. I felt compelled to respond.”
The 34-year-old’s tweet caused friction, leading the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to issue a show-cause notice. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi cited the tweet as a key reason for Zaman’s omission from the limited-overs squad for the Australia tour.
“No One is Bigger Than the Board” – Fakhar Zaman
The left-handed batter admitted his mistake and advised younger players to refrain from publicly questioning selection decisions during their careers. He remarked:
“I saw the criticism and tweeted my opinion, but I understand that no one is bigger than the board. I would also advise junior players that no matter how accomplished you are, you should not criticize the board while still playing. To clarify, my tweet was made before the team announcement.”
Pakistan is currently touring South Africa, with the Test series set to begin on December 26, following the T20I and ODI matches.
