Is Fakhar Zaman Considering Retirement? Pak Opener's Morale at All Time Low after PCB Snub

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Fakhar Zaman's career has taken a turbulent turn after being dropped from Pakistan's central contracts and upcoming white-ball series against Australia and Zimbabwe. A report by Cricket Pakistan suggests that the experienced opener is now contemplating retirement.

The cricketer is understandably feeling disheartened by the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) recent decisions and their handling of his case. Sources close to Fakhar reveal that his morale is at an all-time low due to what he perceives as an unfair selection process.

His exclusion came after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the cricketer's recent tweet in support of former captain Babar Azam did not sit well with the selectors. Fakhar's social media post criticised the decision to drop Babar from the Test squad, drawing a parallel with India's patience during Virat Kohli's lean patch. Naqvi's press conference revealed that Fakhar's tweet, along with fitness concerns, played a pivotal role in his omission from both the squads and central contracts.

The incident raises deeper questions about internal dynamics within Pakistan cricket. Fakhar's exclusion coincides with other controversial decisions by the PCB, including demotions and exclusions based on fitness benchmarks that some insiders claim are inconsistently enforced.

The report further stated that Usman Khan secured a spot despite not finishing his fitness test, while Fakhar failed to complete his run due to a knee injury. Similarly, discrepancies were noted in the cases of players like Kamran Ghulam and Shaheen Afridi, raising eyebrows within the cricketing community.

Adding to the complexity, Fakhar had been in the B category of central contracts just last year, indicating that his performances were still valued until recently. However, his outspoken nature during team discussions and public stance in favour of Babar seem to have left him out of favour with the management.

Close friends of Fakhar have urged him to reconsider retirement, cautioning against making an emotional decision. They believe that despite these setbacks, he still has much to offer to Pakistan cricket, both on and off the field. Fakhar himself has not confirmed any decision yet, leaving fans in suspense over his next move.