Mohammad Rizwan: “There’s nothing personal against him – the whole of Pakistan knows this. Everyone is hopeful that he’ll rejoin the Pakistan team soon”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan limited overs captain Mohammad Rizwan has made it clear that there is “nothing personal” against big-hitting batsman Fakhar Zaman.
Zaman was dropped for the limited overs series against Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, and not given a central contract for the 2024/25 season. Rumours surfaced that this occurred after he criticised the decision to drop batsman Babar Azam midway through Pakistan’s three-Test series against England in October 2024.
However, Rizwan insisted that Zaman was suffering from an illness, while white-ball head coach Aaqib Javed previously said he had fitness issues.
Regardless of this, Rizwan wants the 34-year-old back in the national team as soon as possible since he is an elite batsman.
“I think the whole of Pakistan knows Fakhar Zaman, and there’s nothing personal about him that makes anyone feel like he’s being treated unfairly,” he was quoted as saying by A Sports.
“I’ve had in-depth discussions with the selection committee regarding this situation. The coach and PCB management have been informed to take good care of Fakhar during this time. So, there’s nothing personal against him – the whole of Pakistan knows this. Everyone is hopeful that he’ll rejoin the Pakistan team soon.”
During Pakistan’s tour of Australia, they won the ODI series 2-1 but lost the T20Is 3-0.
They then went to Zimbabwe and triumphed 2-1 in both the ODI and T20I series.
As for their ongoing tour of South Africa, the men in green lost the T20Is 2-0 but bounced back to claim a 3-0 win in the ODIs.
Pakistan and South Africa will now play two Tests, with the first match getting underway on December 26 in Centurion.
Pakistan Squad for South Africa T20I Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa ODI Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa Test Series: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha
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