These are players whose peak years may be behind them, yet millions still admire and idolise them. Champions, fighters, and among the finest to have played the game, Pakistan’s former cricket greats continue to command attention, and when they came together to drop hints about a possible return to the public eye, a frenzy on social media was inevitable.
Since Thursday night, at least four of Pakistan’s most celebrated former cricketers have posted cryptic video messages referring to a possible “selection” of former players. The carefully worded statements, shared almost simultaneously, hinted at an ongoing conversation around selection and a desire among some of the former stars to be part of it.
Those fuelling the speculation include 2009 T20 World Cup-winning captain Younis Khan, all-rounders Abdul Razzaq and Shoaib Malik, and ace spinner Saeed Ajmal.
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Through their respective videos, the former players expressed their willingness to be considered and underscored their continued fitness and readiness. The messages suggested that discussions around selection were underway, with the cricketers presenting themselves as physically prepared and still capable of contributing at a competitive level.
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Adding to the swirl of speculation was a video from comedian and television host Tabish Hashmi, who hinted at having insider information related to the same “selection” narrative. Rather than clarifying matters, the post widened the scope of conjecture, and set off animated discussions across social media platforms.
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Sultan of swing, Wasim Akram also tagged all four cricketers and sought clarity on what the ongoing discussion around the “selection” was about.
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With no concrete details on offer, fans were left to connect the dots themselves.
Was this about a return to competitive cricket, a Pakistan Super League appearance, or something altogether different, perhaps a media or off-field role?
One popular theory suggested a television project involving Tabish Hashmi, but like many others, it remained unconfirmed.
What has kept the audience engaged, however, is the promise of closure. The former cricketers have indicated that they will soon return to address the speculation directly. Until that happens, the guessing game continues.
