Fakhar Zaman Regrets His Tweet Supporting Babar Azam

Pakistan opener and former national team player, Fakhar Zaman, recently addressed the tweet he posted in support of Babar Azam, which led to his exclusion from the national team. Zaman expressed regret over the tweet, clarifying that it was posted before the squad announcement and was never intended to criticize the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He explained that the tweet was prompted by the intense criticism Babar Azam faced at the time, with many experts calling for his removal from the team.

It definitely came into my mind that I shouldn’t have done it. Basically, there have been thoughts on people’s minds that I have criticized the board’s (PCB) decision. But this is entirely wrong. I tweeted before the team announcement. I have told everyone that the tweet has been done before the announcement of the team. I was watching news from the last 2-3 days prior to the tweet and all the journalists and ex-players were saying that he (Babar Azam) should be dropped. He has done so many services (to Pakistan cricket) and saying that he must be dropped. It was coming to my mind again and again which prompted me do to that tweet.

Fakhar Zaman regrets on tweeting in support of Babar Azam but clarifies of having no intentions to criticise PCB. #CT25 pic.twitter.com/WgKqRRyzR7

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) December 23, 2024

Zaman added that he respects the board’s decisions and would not have tweeted had the squad already been announced. He also advised young players not to criticize the board while they are active players. Following the incident, Zaman was omitted from Pakistan’s white-ball tour of Australia, with PCB citing his tweet and fitness concerns as reasons for his exclusion. Currently, Zaman is playing in the Champions T20 Cup, a domestic tournament in Pakistan.