Lagatar24 Desk
Karachi: After Fakhar Zaman voiced his support for former captain Babar Azam, he received a show-cause notice from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). While Zaman’s open stance has been praised by former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali, he also warned the batsman of the potential consequences he might face due to his outspoken comments.
Zaman’s remarks came in response to Babar’s exclusion from Pakistan’s Test squad following the team’s defeat in the first Test against England in Multan. Despite Pakistan posting a massive 500-plus total in their first innings, they lost the match by an innings and 47 runs, leading to the exclusion of Babar, wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed, and pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah from the squad for the remaining two Tests.
Basit Ali’s Advice for Fakhar Zaman
Addressing the matter on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali expressed concern about the notice served to Zaman. “Fakhar Zaman has been issued a show-cause notice, which means tough days are ahead for him because of the internal politics within the PCB,” said Basit. He urged Zaman to approach PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi directly to resolve the issue. “If he doesn’t, these people will create problems for him,” Basit added.
Fakhar Zaman’s Support for Babar Azam
Fakhar Zaman had likened Babar Azam’s rough patch to that of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, pointing out that India did not drop Kohli during his lean phase. Zaman emphasized the importance of sticking by top players through difficult times, highlighting how crucial Babar is to Pakistan cricket.
“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 posted on X (formerly Twitter). He cautioned against sidelining Babar, calling him “arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced,” and suggested the team should focus on protecting key players rather than undermining them.
Basit Ali’s Praise for Fakhar Zaman
Basit Ali, while warning Zaman, also lauded his courage for speaking his mind. “Ladka toh boht bindaas hai, dil mein nahi rakhta baat, saaf bol deta hai (he’s a brave guy, doesn’t keep things inside, speaks his mind clearly),” Basit said, admiring Zaman’s straightforwardness.
Zaman has been instructed to respond to the show-cause notice by October 21. His comments have been deemed a breach of his player contract with the PCB, and further consequences could follow based on his response.
