Pakistan cricket is facing a major controversy as questions have been raised about the fitness of some national team players during the selection process for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has started an internal review after concerns emerged about whether two senior players were fully fit when they were selected for the World Cup squad.
Players Under Fitness Investigation
The debate mainly involves two senior Pakistan batters, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman.
Both players were later declared unfit to play in Pakistan’s ODI series against Bangladesh. This situation raised doubts about whether they were physically ready when they were included in the World Cup team.
Fakhar Zaman has been dealing with a hamstring injury for some time. Because of this problem, he also missed the National T20 Cup.
Players Under Fitness Review
| Player | Issue Reported |
|---|---|
| Babar Azam | Fitness concerns after World Cup |
| Fakhar Zaman | Hamstring injury |
The selection committee had earlier cleared both players to participate after they were evaluated by team physiotherapist Cliffe Deacon. However, Deacon’s role is now being reviewed as part of the investigation.
PCB Strengthens Medical Panel
To examine the issue more closely, the Pakistan Cricket Board has strengthened its medical panel.
A UK-based specialist, Dr Javed Mughal, has been added to the team to help review the situation and determine whether any mistakes were made in the fitness assessments.
PCB Medical Review Team
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Team Physiotherapist | Cliffe Deacon |
| Medical Specialist | Dr Javed Mughal |
The review will check if there was any misjudgment or communication gap while evaluating the players’ fitness before the World Cup.
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Earlier Concerns About PCB Medical System
This controversy has also reminded fans of another recent case involving fast bowler Ihsanullah.
In that case, questions were raised about the way his elbow injury was handled. An independent report pointed out delays in diagnosis and problems in the treatment process.
These incidents have increased concerns about the effectiveness of the PCB’s medical system and its decision-making process.
Impact on Pakistan’s World Cup Campaign
Fitness issues during team selection may have affected Pakistan’s preparation and performance in the tournament.
Team management is now focusing more on strict medical checks before players are selected for international matches.
Some players are currently undergoing treatment and recovery programs at the National Cricket Academy.
Key Focus Areas for PCB
| Area | Objective |
|---|---|
| Medical assessment | Ensure players are fully fit before selection |
| Recovery programs | Improve rehabilitation for injured players |
| Communication | Better coordination between medical staff and selectors |
These steps are expected to reduce future controversies related to player fitness.
What Could Happen Next
The PCB investigation will determine how fitness decisions were made and whether the current medical process needs improvement.
The findings could lead to changes in the board’s medical policies and player evaluation procedures.
Such changes may also affect how Pakistan prepares for future ICC tournaments and international series.
Conclusion
The ongoing review shows that the Pakistan Cricket Board wants to improve transparency and accountability in player fitness management.
By strengthening medical checks and improving communication between doctors and selectors, the board hopes to avoid similar issues in the future.
The results of the investigation could play an important role in shaping Pakistan cricket’s preparation for upcoming international events.
