Fakhar falls victim to discipline, fitness issues

ISLAMABAD: Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan have been left out of the touring squad to Australia and Zimbabwe due to fitness, discipline, and form issues which according to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will be the benchmark for the future selection policy.

Fakhar has already been in hot waters following a Tweet (X) he hurled in favour of Babar Azam when he was axed from the Test squad. ‘The News’ has already highlighted discipline and fitness issues surrounding Fakhar.

The PCB chairman has confirmed that controversy surrounding his X and repeated failures to clear fitness tests are the reasons behind his failure to earn a place in the national teams for the next four assignments including two format series in Australia and later in Zimbabwe.

“He has some serious discipline issues regarding the breach of contract by dispatching tweets and also has fitness issues as he has yet to come up to the required standard,” Naqvi said.

Fakhar even has lost his central contract due to discipline and fitness issues.

“He is expected to submit his reply of the show cause notice served on him. I have just heard that he is about to do that after which we would consider his discipline status in accordance with the reply he would submit,” Naqvi added.

Shadab Khan has been declared as the one who has lost his form in recent times.

“We have given time to some players to get back in form before rejoining the team. Consistency is a must for earning a place in the national squads.

That does not mean that doors have been closed for these cricketers. In fact they can earn a place in the national team anytime provided these players are fit and have proved their form,” Aaqib Javed, one of the key members of the selection panel, said.

Imamul Haq and Usama Mir have also been left out of the four sets of teams touring Australia and Zimbabwe shortly. They have also missed out on the contract list.

The duo have fitness issues that have ruled them out from the contract list as well as from the touring squad.

Newly-appointed captain Mohammad Rizwan dispelled the impression that there is any grouping in the team. “Our only group is Pakistan as we want to represent and play for the country only. There is no other group in the team,” Rizwan said.