Pakistan cricket team has been hit by a fresh controversy after questions were raised over the fitness of senior players Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman during the T20 World Cup selection process.According to a PTI report, the issue came to light following post-tournament medical evaluations conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical panel. Concerns were flagged by Dr Javed Mughal, a UK-based specialist in sports physiotherapy and medicine, who joined the board earlier this year as director of sports exercise and medicine.
The matter had already been alluded to by chief selector Aaqib Javed while announcing the ODI squad for the Bangladesh series, where both Babar and Fakhar were left out. He had confirmed that the board would review the circumstances surrounding their fitness clearance.The situation intensified when it emerged that both players were dealing with injury concerns even after the World Cup. Babar later withdrew from the National T20 Championship due to a hamstring problem, while Fakhar was also managing a similar issue.“When Babar was examined, his injury turned out to be more serious than initially diagnosed, while Fakhar has been struggling with the same problem for months now,” a source said.The report also stated that the national selectors were informed by the team management that both players had been cleared to play by team physiotherapist Cliffe Deacon. However, Deacon has previously faced criticism over allegedly approving players despite minor injuries, reportedly due to his close association with members of the squad.At present, Babar is undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy under the PCB medical panel and is expected to regain fitness in time for the Pakistan Super League, where he is set to lead Peshawar Zalmi. The tournament is scheduled to begin on March 26.Fakhar, meanwhile, has already returned to action in the National T20 Cup and indicated on social media that although he was not fully fit during the Bangladesh ODI series, he is now in a position to take part in the ongoing competition.
