Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has opened up about the controversy surrounding his social media post earlier this year, which appeared to criticize the exclusion of Babar Azam from the last two Tests against England. In a recent interview, the left-hander clarified that his tweet was not aimed at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) but at former players and fans who had called for Babar’s removal, despite his contributions to Pakistan cricket.

Fakhar Zaman addressed the misunderstanding surrounding his tweet, explaining that it was posted before the squad announcement, not after. The cricketer emphasized that he had no intention of undermining the PCB’s decision-making process. He revealed that his comments were spurred by media reports and statements from ex-players suggesting that Babar should be dropped, which he found unwarranted given Babar's accolades.

In his own words, Fakhar Zaman stated:

“It definitely came into my mind that I shouldn’t have done it. Basically, there have been thoughts on people’s mind that I have criticized the board’s 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 on my mind again and again which prompted me do to that tweet,” he explained.

Zaman further explained that as a Pakistan contracted player, he understands the importance of respecting the board’s decisions. He made it clear that if the team had already been announced, he would not have voiced his opinion publicly. Fakhar also stressed the importance of setting an example for younger players, encouraging them to avoid criticizing the board while they are still actively playing.

“But I tweeted it before the (squad) announcement. I wouldn’t have done it after the announcement as I am a cricketer myself and also centrally contracted player of the PCB. I have to play cricket in the future as well. I will tell the junior players of the upcoming generation that you cannot criticize the board’s decision until you are playing even if you have become a big player. So, this is totally wrong that I have criticized the board’s decision,” he claimed.

“I have even told the board officials that the team has been announced later and I had already tweeted it earlier. If the team had been announced, I wouldn’t have done that,” the opener concluded.