Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has finally opened up about his tweet in support of Babar Azam, which even led to his expulsion from the national team. The left-hander openly lamented his publication on X (formerly Twitter) in which he highlighted his personal opinion.
In his defence, Fakhar Zaman claimed that he posted his tweet before the team announcement and did not intend to downgrade the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision. The opener also added that he respects the board’s decisions and would not have done so if the squad had been announced.
Babar Azam was going through a rough patch in the last few months before this incident. During this tough phase, there were calls to remove him from the national team, which Fakhar did not like and decided to post a message of support for the star right-hander.
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Fakhar Zaman breaks silence on his tweet in support of Babar Azam
Fakhar Zaman recently spoke about the topic through an interview. He stated that he had no intention of criticizing the PCB and people had completely misunderstood him. Zaman added that he made the tweet after seeing pundits brutally criticize Babar Azam and demand his expulsion from the team.
“It definitely occurred to me that I shouldn’t have done it. Basically, there have been thoughts in people’s minds that I have criticized the (PCB) board’s decision. But this is completely incorrect. I tweeted before the team announcement. I have told them told everyone that the tweet was made before the team announcement,” Zaman said.
“I was watching the news for the last 2-3 days before the tweet and all the journalists and former players were saying that he (Babar Azam) should be removed. He has done a lot of service (to Pakistan cricket) and was saying that ‘He should be removed.’ . It came to mind over and over again, which prompted me to write that tweet,” he explained.
Fakhar Zaman regrets tweeting in support of Babar Azam, but clarifies that he has no intention of criticizing the PCB. #CT25 pic.twitter.com/WgKqRRyzR7
– Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) December 23, 2024
“You cannot criticize the board’s decision until…” – Fakhar Zaman’s advice to young people
To further clarify the issue, Fakhar Zaman revealed that he made the tweet before the team’s announcement and would not have done it after as he himself is a centrally contracted player.
Fakhar even mentioned that he would advise youngsters not to criticize the board’s decision until they are active players and claims to have clarified his thoughts with the board officials.
“But I tweeted it before the (team) announcement. I wouldn’t have done it after the announcement as I am a cricketer and also a centrally contracted player for the PCB. In future I will also have to play cricket,” Zaman claimed.
“I will tell the young players of the next generation that you cannot criticize the board’s decision until you are playing, even if you have become a great player. Therefore, it is totally wrong for me to criticize the board’s decision. the board,” he said.
“I even told the management that the team was announced later and I had already tweeted about it before. If the team had been announced, I wouldn’t have done it,” the opener concluded.
Fakhar Zaman fell after his tweet
After his tweet, Fakhar Zaman was not considered for Pakistan’s white-ball tour of Australia. The PCB boss reasoned his omission by his unnecessary tweet criticizing the board and his constant concerns about his physical condition.
Fakhar Zaman is currently playing in the Champions T20 Cup, which is a domestic tournament in Pakistan. In his absence, Saim Ayub has performed exceptionally at the top of the Men in Green.
Fakhar has been a constant figure in Pakistan’s white-ball teams over the years. He has the ability to hit the ball hard on the power play to give his team great starts. He will be looking for a place in Pakistan’s team for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
