Aaqib Javed, the interim white-ball head coach of Pakistan, has discussed the potential return of top-order batter Fakhar Zaman to the national team on Wednesday.
Fakhar was excluded from the central contracts for the 2024-25 international season, as well as the squads for the tours to Australia and Zimbabwe last month.
However, Aaqib, who recently took charge as the interim head coach, heaped praise on Fakhar, calling him a match-winner.
The former pacer shared that Fakhar is dealing with some fitness issues and he will be back in the team once he achieves full recovery.
“Fakhar Zaman is a match-winner. He has been facing some fitness issues, but the selection committee will reconsider him once he regains fitness,” Aaqib stated while addressing the media in Lahore.
Remember, Fakhar expressed his disappointment through a social media post over the selection committee’s decision to drop star batter Babar Azam after the first Test against England last month.
Consequently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a show-cause notice to the left-hander over breaching the Code of Conduct.
Aaqib Javed further shared that as interim head coach his goal is to take Pakistan cricket forward using his extensive coaching experience.
“PCB has entrusted me with additional responsibilities, and I will fulfil them to the best of my abilities,” he added. “I have been coaching for over 22 years and will use my experience with the team.”
“As a coach, I am not focusing on individual players but on improving Pakistan cricket as a whole.”
He emphasized that significant changes are needed for Pakistan’s T20I team, and for this reason, new players will be provided ample opportunities ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
“There’s still over a year left for the next T20 World Cup, so a lot of changes will be seen,” Aaqib Javed stated.
“The team selected for Zimbabwe gives a message to new players that they will be given opportunities.
“However, as of now, we are focusing more on ODI matches and the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.”
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