Shoaib expresses disappointment over Fakhar Zaman\u2019s ongoing benching, calling it a result of internal conflicts
\n Islamabad
\nFormer Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has weighed in on the ongoing standoff between opening batter Fakhar Zaman and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), urging both parties to resolve their differences for the greater good of Pakistan cricket.
\nSpeaking on a state news channel, the former fast bowler expressed his disappointment over Fakhar Zaman\u2019s continued exclusion from the national squad, suggesting that the decision was rooted in \u201cego battles\u201d within the team management.
\n\u201cFakhar Zaman is a mature and committed player, but he\u2019s been unfairly benched because of ego battles. Even if you don\u2019t play him now, you will need him sooner or later \u2014 if not today, then tomorrow,\u201d said Shoaib Akhtar.
\nShoaib Akhtar advised the left-handed batter to focus solely on his performance and avoid making public statements about his exclusion. \u201cFakhar needs to understand that he should let his bat do the talking. Instead of making statements, he needs to focus on performing well when given the opportunity,\u201d Shoaib Akhtar added.
\nFakhar Zaman, 34, was not included in Pakistan\u2019s white-ball squads for the ongoing series against South Africa, with interim head coach Aqib Javed citing Zaman\u2019s fitness and lack of match form as the reason for his exclusion.
\nHowever, Fakhar Zaman, who was active in the ongoing Champions T20 Cup, stated that he is fully fit and ready to play whenever the opportunity arises.
\n\u201cI\u2019m fit, and that\u2019s why I\u2019m playing. If given a chance, I\u2019ll play and aim to perform well. My goal is to help Pakistan win, just like I did during the Champions Trophy,\u201d Zaman remarked.
\nShoaib Akhtar\u2019s comments reflect the growing concern around internal team conflicts and their impact on Pakistan\u2019s cricketing performance. The veteran pacer has been a vocal advocate for players\u2019 rights and believes that resolving internal issues will benefit Pakistan cricket in the long run
\nPreviously Pakistan\u2019s white1-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, addressed speculation surrounding Fakhar Zaman\u2019s omission from the national squad for the South Africa tour.
\nIn a video released by the PCB, Rizwan emphasised that Fakhar\u2019s exclusion was not driven by personal bias.
\n\u201cI think the whole of Pakistan knows Fakhar Zaman, and there\u2019s nothing personal about him that makes anyone feel like he\u2019s being treated unfairly. From the conversations we\u2019ve had among ourselves, everyone is hopeful about him because he is something different for Pakistan \u2013 he\u2019s a character and a game-changer,\u201d said Rizwan.
\nThe wicket-keeper batter also revealed that his omission from the squad was not related only to fitness issues.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Shoaib expresses disappointment over Fakhar Zaman\u2019s ongoing benching, calling it a result of internal conflicts Islamabad Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has weighed in on the ongoing standoff between opening batter Fakhar Zaman and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), urging both parties to resolve their differences for the greater good of Pakistan cricket. Speaking on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":449694,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-449679","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n