PAK vs ENG: PCB Unhappy With Fakhar Zaman Tweet Endrosing Babar Azam's Spot in Test Team - Report

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly unhappy with Fakhar Zaman's tweet that questioned the selection panel's decision to drop star batter Babar Azam from the squad to face England in the 2nd and 3rd Tests.

The panel dropped former captain Babar as well as Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah when they announced the squad for the remaining two Tests against England in Multan and Rawalpindi.

There were reports of Babar facing the axe even before the squad was announced on Sunday (October 13). Reacting to the reports, Zaman had taken to to X to question the decision, and that has now left the PCB unhappy.

According to a report in PTI, the Pakistan Cricket Board officials are in touch with Fakhar about the tweet as they are not pleased with the opening batter questioning the selection call on social media.

"The top board officials are not pleased with the tweet sent out by Fakhar and relevant persons are having a word with him about it," PTI reported a well-informed PCB source as saying.

Moments before the squad was announced, Fakhar had taken to social media to express his disbelief about talks to drop Pakistan's best ever batter Babar, adding how India backed Virat Kohli during his slump.

"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," Zaman wrote on X formerly Twitter.

"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."

The left-handed opener had also said there is enough time to avoid pressing the panic button and they should instead focus on safeguarding their key players rather than undermining them.

"There is still time to avoid pressing the panic button; we should focus on safeguarding our key players rather than undermining them," Fakhar added but fell to deaf ears and only irked the PCB officials with his post.

The source, however, disputed Fakhar's tone and said one of the newly inducted selectors, former captain Azhar Ali had spoken to length with Babar on Saturday and explained to him the decision to rest him for the two tests.

"Azhar made it clear to Babar that he remained an integral part of Pakistan cricket's future set-up and planning," the source added.

One of the other new selectors, Aqib Javed said that it had been a challenging task for them to select the Test squad for the two tests.

"We've had to carefully consider current player form, the urgency to bounce back in the series and Pakistan's demanding 2024-25 international schedule. With these factors in mind and in the best interest of Pakistan cricket as well as the players, we've made the decision to rest Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi," he said.

Aaqib said the selectors are confident that this break from international cricket will help these players regain their fitness, confidence and composure, ensuring they return in top shape for future challenges.

(With inputs from PTI)