Pakistan selectors have raised concerns over the injuries sustained by star batters Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, who were not included in the ongoing ODI series against Bangladesh.

Both players were omitted from the squad led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, which includes six uncapped players as part of a strategy to test younger talent.

During a press conference alongside former captain Misbah ul Haq, wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed and ex cricketer Asad Shafique, selector Aaqib Javed revealed that both players returned from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup carrying injuries that the selection committee had not been informed about during the tournament.

Aaqib stated that the team’s medical staff examined Babar after his return and confirmed that his injury would prevent him from participating in both the Bangladesh series and the upcoming National T20 Cup.

“Some players were not included in this series against Bangladesh,” Aaqib said. “Regarding Babar Azam’s injury, our doctor examined him after he returned from the World Cup. The injury he has is not allowing him to play this series or even the National T20 Cup. He wanted to play, but he is injured.”

The selectors have requested the Pakistan Cricket Board to conduct an inquiry into how both players sustained their injuries.

Aaqib expressed surprise that the injuries only became known after the World Cup concluded.

“Fakhar is also injured, and we have asked the cricket board for an inquiry,” he said. “How is it that we only learned about these injuries after the World Cup ended? During the tournament, when they were playing, was their fitness not being monitored? Were they part of the squad without being fully fit?”

He further emphasized that the coaching staff and medical team should keep selectors updated about players’ fitness during major tournaments.

“When you go to a World Cup, any health or injury issue should be communicated by the head coach and physio. As selectors, we should know these things,” he added.

Aaqib also clarified that the decision to send a younger squad to Bangladesh had already been made before the World Cup began.

“We had already decided that younger players like Maaz Sadaqat would be given opportunities in this series,” he explained. “This plan was in place even before the World Cup. We did something similar during the Zimbabwe series in 2024. Playing new players gives us more options for the future.”

He added that injuries can occur at any time and that the selectors are still trying to understand how the current situation developed.

“At the moment, Babar Azam is not fit to play, Fakhar Zaman is not fit, and Salman Mirza is also unavailable,” Aaqib said. “But it raises a question if we had reached the World Cup semifinal, would these players suddenly have been fit to play?”

During the Super Eight stage of the tournament, Fakhar Zaman played all three matches and scored 109 runs at an impressive strike rate of 187.93. His standout performance came against Sri Lanka, where he smashed 84 runs from just 42 balls after being promoted to open the innings.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam featured in six matches during the tournament but struggled to make a significant impact, scoring 91 runs at a strike rate of 112.34.