• Source:JND
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Pakistan’s dynamic opener, Fakhar Zaman, may be on the verge of stepping away from international cricket after being omitted from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) latest list of centrally contracted players, as per a report. The veteran batter’s exclusion from Pakistan’s white-ball squads for the upcoming tours of Australia and Zimbabwe has raised questions, especially as the 34-year-old continues to deal with morale issues and concerns over fitness evaluation inconsistencies.

Sources close to Fakhar indicate that his spirits have been dampened by the recent snubs and his perceived double standards in the selection process. Though scheduled to take a fitness test in January 2025, Fakhar reportedly couldn’t complete the required two-kilometer run in under eight minutes due to a knee injury. However, selectors opted to overlook this in other cases, with reports suggesting that Usman Khan, who struggled during his own fitness assessment, was still awarded a central contract and a place in both squads.

Last year, Fakhar held a B-category contract, yet recent actions by PCB have left him feeling marginalized. Insiders speculate that Fakhar’s public show of support for former captain Babar Azam on social media may have influenced the PCB’s decision.

Despite his frustrations, Fakhar has yet to make a final decision on his retirement. The report further stated that riends and confidants have encouraged him not to act hastily, reminding him of his contributions to Pakistan cricket and his potential to continue playing a key role in the squad.

Pakistan Squads For White-Ball Series Against Australia and Zimbabwe

ODI squad for Australia: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah(WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan(WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi

T20I squad for Australia: Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah(WK), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan(WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan

ODI squad for Zimbabwe: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani and Tayyab Tahir

T20I squad for Zimbabwe: Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan