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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the appointment of Mohammad Rizwan as the new captain of the white-ball team, a decision that comes with the announcement of the squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. The team will see the return of key players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah, while Fakhar Zaman has been omitted due to a combination of fitness concerns and a recent tweet that criticized the selection committee.
Rizwan, a seasoned wicketkeeper-batter, expressed his commitment to leading the team to success in his statement: "I am committed to giving my absolute best in this role and look forward to working closely with the selectors, coaches and my immensely talented teammates. Together, we aim to meet and exceed the expectations of our fans and supporters." This statement underscores the high expectations placed on the team as they embark on the tour.
The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, confirmed that Fakhar Zaman's omission was related to both his failure to pass a fitness test and a recent tweet that expressed disagreement with Babar Azam's omission from the Test team. While the PCB acknowledged that the tweet was a factor in the decision, Naqvi emphasized that it was not the primary reason. "The tweet [he posted] is an issue for us," Naqvi said. "It doesn't matter as much as him failing his fitness test though. We have to make a decision over his show-cause notice, and after that he has to pass his fitness test. That's why he isn't in. He spoke very well at the connection camp, and it was him raising his voice that has led us to reform our international department. I appreciate that. But it's unacceptable for a player to tweet against the selection committee. That is not permitted, and it will never be permitted."
Fakhar Zaman's omission highlights the importance of both performance and adherence to team regulations in international cricket. While his criticism of the selection committee may be seen as a form of player empowerment, the PCB's stance underscores the hierarchical structure of the sport, where players are expected to respect the decisions of the selection committee. The upcoming tour will be a test for the team, both on and off the field, as they navigate the complex landscape of modern cricket.
Source: Rizwan announced white-ball captain; Babar, Afridi, Naseem return for Australia tour