Pakistani seamer Mohammad Amir blasted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday for not awarding Fakhar Zaman a central contract for the 2024-25 season, stating that he was surprised by the decision. The PCB has revealed its most recent list of centrally contracted players for the 2024-25 season, with several notable absences sparking controversy in the cricketing community. Amir stated on his official Twitter account that Fakhar is Pakistan’s only impact player in white ball cricket.
“I am astonished that Fakhar Zaman isn’t on the team. Pakistani seamer Mohammad Amir slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday for not awarding Fakhar Zaman a central contract for the 2024-25 season, saying he was astonished by the decision. The PCB has announced its newest list of centrally contracted players for the 2024-25 season, with some significant absences prompting debate in the cricketing community. Amir took to his official X Twitter to say that Fakhar is Pakistan’s sole impact player in white ball cricket.
“I am astonished that Fakhar Zaman isn’t on the team. Earlier, PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi held a news conference in Lahore, stating that Fakhar’s fitness is the primary reason for not awarding him a central contract.
There is a show-cause notice pending against him, which we will check about. He needs to demonstrate his fitness. His point of view was valued at the Connection Camp, and I thank him for that, but you are not permitted to publicly remark on the selection committee’s decisions. However, the more pressing issue remains his fitness,” Naqvi stated.
For the first time in eight years, Fakhar Zaman did not receive a central contract. ESPNcricinfo cited doubts over his fitness. Five players were offered contracts for the first time: Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Usman Khan.
Pakistan’s Test captain, Shan Masood, who led his team to its first long-format series victory since July 2023 this week, remains in Category B. Babar Azam, who was dropped for the second and third Tests against England, remained in the top category. Meanwhile, pacer Shaheen Afridi has been demoted to the second tier. Mohammad Rizwan joined Babar as the only other Category A player.