Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam (Photo by AFP)
The Pakistan Cricket Board is set to conduct an investigation into the injuries of stars Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman after concerns emerged over their fitness following the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.Pakistan selector and former fast bowler Aaqib Javed revealed during a press conference that the selection committee had asked the PCB to investigate how both players were injured and why the issue came to light only after the tournament.
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Selectors raise concerns over injury updates
Speaking alongside fellow selection committee members Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq, Aaqib Javed said the selectors were not aware that Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman were suffering from injuries during the World Cup.
reconnaissance
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The selectors have now asked the PCB to review the circumstances surrounding the injuries and whether appropriate fitness updates were communicated during the tournament.“Fakhar is also injured – on this matter, we have also asked the cricket board to conduct an investigation. How could Fakhar also be unfit and we only found out after the World Cup?” Aqib said.“When you go to the World Cup, whatever health issues or injury, your head coach and physiotherapist have to keep everyone updated.
As elect, we must know these things.
Babar Azam has been dropped from the Bangladesh series
Aqib Javed also explained why Babar Azam was not included in Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing ODI series against the Bangladesh cricket team. According to the selector, the former Pakistan captain is currently dealing with an injury that has prevented him from participating in both the Bangladesh series and the domestic National T20 Cup.“Babar Azam is facing injury, which is why he did not participate in the Bangladesh match.
Aqib explained that he also wanted to play the National T20 Cup but his health condition did not allow him to do so.“Whether it is visible to you or to me, it does not matter. But if a player is injured in training or in a match, we must know how it happens and when it happens.”Aqib even wondered whether the players would have been declared fit had Pakistan progressed further in the tournament.“The situation today is that Babar Azam is not fit to play and Fakhar Zaman is not fit to play.
If we had reached the semi-finals, would they have suddenly been fit? That’s the question.”
Young players got opportunities
Aqib also revealed that the team management has already planned to field a younger team for the Bangladesh series after the World Cup. The selection committee trialled emerging players in the recent bilateral series, similar to the approach used during Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe in 2024.“We had already decided before the World Cup that we would not send a full squad here. We wanted to give opportunities to the younger players so that we have more options moving forward,” he said.
