Pakistan's opening batter Fakhar Zaman has responded to the ongoing speculation surrounding his fitness and rehabilitation, sharing a series of images from his training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). 

The cricketer, who has been working diligently on his fitness for the past two weeks, posted the photos on his social media accounts with the message: "Pushing limits and breaking barriers." The post highlights Fakhar's commitment to overcoming personal challenges and silencing critics.

The 33-year-old, known for his aggressive batting style, has found himself at the center of attention, not only for his fitness journey but also for his absence from recent national squad selections. Despite his strong performances in the past, Fakhar was notably absent from Pakistan's white-ball teams for the tours of Australia and Zimbabwe, and he did not receive a central contract. This fueled speculation about his future in the national setup, including rumors of a potential captaincy role.

The controversy around the opening batter escalated earlier this year when he publicly questioned the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to rest captain Babar Azam during the series against England. Fakhar compared this to the case of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, who had not been rested despite facing a similar slump in form. This prompted the PCB to issue a show-cause notice to Fakhar, leading to further media scrutiny.

In response to the notice, Fakhar clarified that his comments were made with the utmost respect for both the PCB and Babar Azam, who he regards as a close friend and one of the best batsmen in world cricket. Fakhar explained that his intention was to highlight the importance of Babar playing during a challenging period rather than being rested.

As Pakistan's cricket team prepares for a busy schedule ahead, including a series against South Africa later this December, Fakhar Zaman's fitness and form will be crucial for his potential return to the national team. Following an intense schedule of ODI and T20I series against Australia and Zimbabwe in November, Pakistan will face South Africa in a three-match ODI series, a three-match T20I series, and a two-match Test series, as part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.

Reports suggest that Fakhar Zaman, alongside fellow left-hander Imam-ul-Haq, is expected to make a comeback to the white-ball squad, marking a potential turning point in his career after a period of absence from international cricket.