Kamal Ghorui
The Pakistan Cricket Board is set to conduct an inquiry into the injuries of star batters 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 requested the PCB to investigate how both players sustained injuries and why the issue only came to light after the tournament.
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 unaware that Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman were carrying injuries during the World Cup.The selectors have now asked the PCB to review the circumstances surrounding the injuries and whether proper fitness updates were communicated during the tournament.“Fakhar is also injured – on this, we have also requested the cricket board for an inquiry. How can it be that Fakhar is also unfit and we only found out after the World Cup ended?” Aaqib said.“When you go to a World Cup, whatever health or injury issues there are, your head coach and physio should keep everyone updated. As selectors, we should know these things.”
Babar Azam ruled out of Bangladesh series
Aaqib Javed also clarified why Babar Azam was not included in Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing ODI series against Bangladesh national 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 an injury, which is why he wasn’t included against Bangladesh. He also wanted to play the National T20 Cup, but his health condition didn’t allow him,” Aaqib explained.“Whether it was visible to you or to me is not important. But if a player gets injured in practice or a match, how it happens and when it happens should be known.”Aaqib even questioned whether the players would have been declared fit had Pakistan progressed further in the tournament.“Today the situation is that Babar Azam is not fit to play and Fakhar Zaman is not fit to play. If we had made the semifinal, would they have suddenly become fit? That is the question.”
Young players given opportunities
Aaqib also revealed that the team management had already planned to send a younger squad for the Bangladesh series following the World Cup. The selection committee has been experimenting with emerging players in 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-strength squad here. We wanted to give opportunities to younger players so we have more options going forward,” he said.
