Pakistan selector seeks inquiry into star players’ post-World Cup injuries

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selector Aaqib Javed has publicly called for an investigation into the injuries sustained by star players Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman immediately following the T20 World Cup 2026 At a press conference, Javed questioned how the players, who participated fully in the tournament, could be declared unfit for national duty for the subsequent ODI series against Bangladesh He urged the PCB to launch an inquiry to understand the circumstances behind the injuries, which led to the exclusion of both senior cricketers from the squad Javed was joined at the press conference by fellow members of the selection committee, Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Asad Shafique This call for scrutiny highlights potential concerns regarding player fitness management and communication within the Pakistan cricket setup. These events contribute to ongoing Pakistan cricket controversies as the board navigates its next steps after the tournament. In a separate and unrelated statement, Javed also drew attention for a surprising comparison between the unique bowling actions of Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Pakistani spinner Usman Tariq He commented that the unusual nature of their styles is what makes both bowlers particularly difficult for batters to face, a remark that sparked discussion among cricket analysts