Fakhar Zaman crosses all limits, uses Virat Kohli's example to attack PCB over Babar Azam's Test snub

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman came out in full support of his teammate Babar Azam and asked the PCB to "safeguard" a key player like him. Fakhar cited an example of India not dropping Virat Kohli despite his poor run of form for almost three years, in which he did not even score an international hundred.

Babar Azam is arguably going through the worst phase of his career right now. The star Pakistan batter has not scored a single fifty-plus score in his last 18 Test innings. In these 18 innings, he has scored 366 runs at an average of just 20.33.

His poor form forced the newly formed selection committee to drop him for the second and third Tests against England. The decision came as a huge surprise given Babar's stature in Pakistan cricket.

Also read: Kevin Pietersen's suggestion accepted as Pakistan set to play 2nd Test on same Multan pitch

Fakhar Zaman comes out in support of Babar Azam

Babar Azam's teammate Fakhar Zaman came out in full support of the star Pakistan batter and claimed that Pakistan needs to safeguard its key players rather than dropping them. The left-hander then cited the example of Virat Kohli, who was not dropped by the Indian team management despite his poor form.

"It’s concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively," Fakhar posted on X (formerly Twitter).

By calling Babar the best batter produced by Pakistan ever, Fakhar Zaman warned the PCB to avoid the panic button and stated that his drop will send a negative message.

"If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced, it could send a deeply negative message across the team. There is still time to avoid pressing the panic button; we should focus on safeguarding our key players rather than undermining them," he added.

It’s concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively. If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan…

— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) October 13, 2024

Babar Azam and two key players dropped

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently appointed Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, and Azhar Ali as the new members of the selection committee. However, the new selection committee took a shocking decision straight away.

The committee dropped three key players of Pakistan Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah from the second and third Tests against England. The decision was unexpected as these players are arguably the most high-profile names in Pakistan cricket.

Reason for the players' omission

Aaqib Javed reasoned the omission of these players at the loss of form and fitness concerns. He also hopes that the break can allow these players to regroup and regain their form for the much-important international games ahead.

The next Test between Pakistan and England will be played at Multan while the third Test will be played at Karachi. England are already 1-0 ahead in the series after securing a win in the first Test.