Fakhar Zaman's 'Babar Azam-Virat Kohli' tweet puts his career at risk; Pakistan on mission to end groupism

Fakhar Zaman’s chances of being selected in the Pakistan squad for the upcoming tour of Australia have been hit significantly. The Pakistan opener has reportedly failed a basic fitness test due to ongoing knee issues, leaving his participation in serious doubt.

Adding to his woes, Zaman is now under disciplinary supervision, with some seniors in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unhappy with his behavior. Notably, the Pakistan cricket team is scheduled to travel to Australia next month for a three-match ODI series and three-match T20I series.

Fakhar Zaman's knee issues and disciplinary concerns jeopardize his selection for Australia Tour

It is also being said that Salman Ali Agha was the frontrunner for the white-ball captaincy of the Pakistan team until October 17. However, Mohammad Rizwan has now emerged as a strong candidate to replace Babar Azam as Pakistan’s new captain in limited-overs cricket.

A well-known Pakistani journalist, Saleem Khaliq, claimed on X: “Fakhar Zaman’s selection for the Australia tour has become difficult as he failed the fitness test due to knee issues. A disciplinary action is also ongoing against him, and some senior officials of the board are reportedly displeased with him. As of Thursday night, Salman Ali Agha was a favorite to take over the white-ball captaincy, but now Mohammad Rizwan appears to be leading the race again.”

Fakhar Zaman’s selection for the Australia tour has become difficult as he failed the fitness test due to knee issues. A disciplinary action is also ongoing against him, and some senior officials of the board are reportedly displeased with him. As of Thursday night, Salman Ali…

— Saleem Khaliq (@saleemkhaliq) October 19, 2024

Meanwhile, the effects of surgery and leadership changes in Pakistan cricket are beginning to show with the team’s 152-run win over England in the second Test against England in Multan.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi backs Aaqib Javed's fight against groupism in Pakistan

And the Pakistani sports journalist revealed that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has given the free hand to Aaqib Javed to take strong action against internal groupism that has plagued the team.

However, as part of this initiative, there have been temporary relaxations in strict fitness standards that the players must adhere to. Despite not completing the 2 km race within the mandatory 8 minutes, Pakistani players like Noman Ali and Zahid Mahmood were still allowed to play.

Saleem Khaliq said in another post: “The effects of surgery in Pakistan cricket are beginning to show. Mohsin Naqvi has given a free hand to Aaqib Javed, who has initiated steps to eliminate groupism within the team. The strict fitness standards have also been temporarily relaxed. Despite failing to complete a 2-kilometer run in 8 minutes, Noman Ali and Zahid Mahmood were still allowed to play.”

The effects of surgery in Pakistan cricket are beginning to show. Mohsin Naqvi has given a free hand to Aaqib Javed, who has initiated steps to eliminate groupism within the team. The strict fitness standards have also been temporarily relaxed. Despite failing to complete a…

— Saleem Khaliq (@saleemkhaliq) October 19, 2024

Noman Ali leads the Men In Green to a memorable Multan Test victory

Notably, Noman Ali has recently played a key role in his team's remarkable victory over England in the second Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The spinner snared 11 wickets in both innings to help the national team break their losing streak in the longest format of the game.

Apart from Noman, Sajid Khan also starred with the ball, as the seasoned spinner scalped nine wickets to play a key role in Pakistan’s series-leveling victory over England. He was later named Player of the Match for his contribution to the team’s win.

The third and final game will be played at the Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi from October 24.