LAHORE: The Pakistan Men’s Selection Committee has asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to investigate the alleged injuries sustained by veteran batsmen Babar Azam and Faqar Zaman during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, its member Akib Javed said on Saturday.
2009 champions Pakistan, who failed to qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals, are currently engaged in a three-match ODI series against Pakistan for which they have rested six key players, including veteran batting duo Babar and Faqar.
Despite an encouraging performance in the longer format, their exclusion drew heavy criticism for the selection committee, which was blamed by fans for a “mix-up of form”.
Meanwhile, according to the latest development, the selection committee has revealed that the duo has not been considered for the Green Shirts’ current international assignment due to concerns over their fitness.
Javed told a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium along with fellow selectors Sarfaraz Ahmed, Asad Shafiq and Misbah-ul-Haq that Babar and Fakhar were injured during the 2026 T20 World Cup and the selectors were not aware of their fitness concerns.
He further informed that the selection committee has requested the PCB to investigate.
“Some players were not included in this series (against Bangladesh). Regarding Babar Asam’s injury, when he returned from there (T20 World Cup), our doctor also examined him. His injury did not allow him to play in this series or the National T20 Cup… He wanted to play but he was injured,” Javed said.
“Fakhar is also injured – we have asked the cricket board to inquire about this. Fakhar is also ineligible. How did we get the injury of these two players after the World Cup? During the World Cup, while they were playing, was their fitness not taken care of? Were they in the team without full fitness?, we need to know these things.
Javed addressed concerns over the selection of the men’s national team for the ongoing Bangladesh series, for which they have six uncapped players, insisting that the selection committee has decided to send youngsters to Bangladesh ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
“But we had earlier decided that after the T20 World Cup, we will send younger players like Mas Sadaq for this series,” shared Javed.
“We had already decided that we would not send a full-strength team here before the World Cup. We have done this since the Zimbabwe series (in 2024). Play new players so you have more options.”