Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman faked injuries? Investigation officially begins after T20 World Cup 2026

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Director High Performance and selector Aaqib Javed raised concerns over Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman's injuries, who were part of the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026 squad. Aaqib calls for an inquiry to determine how the players, who played a World Cup-like tournament, can be injured right after that.

In a press conference, along with Misbahul Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Asad Shafique, Aaqib Javed confirmed that Fakhar Zaman also sustained an injury. He asked the board to initiate an investigation to find what actually happened behind the stage.

Did Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman fake their injuries to play the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026?

For the 3-match ODI series against Bangladesh, the Pakistan Cricket Board named multiple uncapped cricketers in place of senior cricketers like Babar Azam and many others. Babar Azam's exclusion from the ODI team was a shocking move by the board. Later, it was reported that the batter himself did not want to play the series as he wanted to spend more time on batting rehearsals.

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After the 2nd ODI of the three-match series, it was officially announced that, because of injury, Babar Azam is not travelling with the squad for the ODI series against Bangladesh. In the press conference, the PCB selector also informed that, along with Azam, Fakhar Zaman is also injured.

How is it possible that Fakhar is also unfit? Aaqib Javed raised the question

Javed urged the PCB to consider an inquiry to find out whether they faked their fitness status during the T20 World Cup 2026. The selector refused to believe that a player, who had come freshly from a high-profile tournament like the World Cup and suddenly gotten injured.

"Yes, Fakhar is also injured. We are requesting the Cricket Board to conduct an inquiry on this. How is it possible that Fakhar is also unfit? After the World Cup, the injuries of these two players have come in front of us", Aaqib Javed said in the press conference, ahead of the Bangladesh vs Pakistan 3rd and last ODI match of the bilateral series.

The selector raised multiple questions about the PCB

"So, when they were playing during the World Cup, was their fitness not being seen? (Was he not fully fit as a part of the squad? We are the selectors, we should know about this. But when you go to the World Cup, then whatever health issues they have, injuries issues, updates, it is your head coach, your physio, who should keep an update. And we should know about this", the selector expressed his concerns about raising multiple questions.

Aaqib Javed also mentioned that decisions related to team selection in the board are made through mutual consultation between the coaching staff, captain, and the selection committee. Selectors should know about the injury reports, so that they can pick the strongest possible squad for any competition.

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