PCB omits Fakhar Zaman from Central Contract list for 2024-25 - What message does this send to Pakistan's top players?

Was the PCB justified in dropping Fakhar Zaman from the central contracts list?


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FearlessRoar

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PCB has dropped Fakhar Zaman from its central contracts list for 2024-25. This decision comes shortly after Zaman questioned the board's call to rest Babar Azam during the England Test series.

Zaman, previously categorized in Category B, had expressed his dissent on social media. PCB officials took exception, issuing a "show cause" notice.

Consequently, Zaman loses his central contract for the first time in eight years.

Does Zaman's axing send a chilling message to other players? Should players be allowed to speak freely on team decisions? Or must they toe the board's line?
 
Basically admitted that the tweet is the reason he is not in the squad. And I am pretty sure Aaqib Javed has a big hand in this because Naqvi specifically said that you can't say stuff like this about the selection committee.
 
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This is unbelievable. On current form, particularly given Babar’s rut, Fakhar is unquestionably our most valuable ODI player. He stands head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to his ability to play impactful knocks. He is the greatest Pakistani opening batsman since Saeed Anwar and arguably better than Anwar.

To drop him not just from the team but from the central contracts list is just shocking behaviour. Fakhar’s “crime” is supposedly speaking in support of his team mate Babar, and also vocalising his concerns in a camp run by the Chairman, where the Chairman asked senior players to vocalise their concerns. Fakhar was led to believe that the camp was a safe space, but it turns out it was anything but.

Stay strong Fakhar. You’ll be back soon inshallah!
 
What a duplicitous chap this Mohsin Naqvi. Basically admitted that the tweet is the reason he is not in the squad. And I am pretty sure Aaqib Javed has a big hand in this because Naqvi specifically said that you can't say stuff like this about the selection committee.

Didn’t Aqib want Fakhar as captain?
 
What a duplicitous chap this Mohsin Naqvi. Basically admitted that the tweet is the reason he is not in the squad. And I am pretty sure Aaqib Javed has a big hand in this because Naqvi specifically said that you can't say stuff like this about the selection committee.
To be honest the tweet was stupidity on part of Fakhar. PCB has a lot of duffers in the organisation but players at least need to follow some basic discipline.
 
The reason is here.

Mohsin Naqvi on Fakhar Zaman's absence from the squad, while addressing the press conference:

"First of all, Fakhar Zaman's tweet is an issue. But that doesn't matter as much as fitness. He needs to clear the fitness tests and the show-cause issue also needs to be dealt with. Some of Fakhar's suggestions were great during our meeting and we fixed a lot of things after he raised those points. So I appreciate him for that but a player simply cannot tweet things if any player is dropped from the squad or excluded."
 
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I will go for a disciplinary inquiry but not omitting one of Ur best especially in tough aus tour.
 
To be honest the tweet was stupidity on part of Fakhar. PCB has a lot of duffers in the organisation but players at least need to follow some basic discipline.
It was a completely unnecessary thing to do but this is still a massive overreaction and tells you how fickle and small-minded Naqvi and Aqib are. And ultimately it damages your own team.
 
Fakhar Zaman’s exclusion from both the team and the central contract was entirely justified, and not for just one reason, but multiple. Fakhar himself seemed ready to step back, so the outrage over his removal feels misplaced. His actions, frankly, have been both problematic and disappointing.

First, he had a public outburst during the connection camp meeting, complaining about NOCs because he wanted to play T20 cricket despite his knee issues. This meeting was supposed to foster unity among players who were reportedly not getting along and reluctant to represent their country together. Instead, Fakhar created more tension. Then, he went on social media, publicly challenging the decision to drop Babar and opposing the selection committee. Despite receiving a show cause notice from the PCB, Fakhar neither took down the post nor issued an apology, and now the matter is being managed by his legal team.

The PCB really had no other choice. Realistically, it’s time for the board to take a fresh start, build a disciplined team from the ground up, and make it clear that unprofessional behavior won’t be tolerated. Too many players prioritize T20 leagues and earnings over national fitness, team spirit, and representing Pakistan. If all this isn’t enough reason for his exclusion, then the simple fact that Fakhar has allowed himself to get drawn into team politics is a reason on its own.
 
Fakhar Zaman’s exclusion from both the team and the central contract was entirely justified, and not for just one reason, but multiple. Fakhar himself seemed ready to step back, so the outrage over his removal feels misplaced. His actions, frankly, have been both problematic and disappointing.

First, he had a public outburst during the connection camp meeting, complaining about NOCs because he wanted to play T20 cricket despite his knee issues. This meeting was supposed to foster unity among players who were reportedly not getting along and reluctant to represent their country together. Instead, Fakhar created more tension. Then, he went on social media, publicly challenging the decision to drop Babar and opposing the selection committee. Despite receiving a show cause notice from the PCB, Fakhar neither took down the post nor issued an apology, and now the matter is being managed by his legal team.

The PCB really had no other choice. Realistically, it’s time for the board to take a fresh start, build a disciplined team from the ground up, and make it clear that unprofessional behavior won’t be tolerated. Too many players prioritize T20 leagues and earnings over national fitness, team spirit, and representing Pakistan. If all this isn’t enough reason for his exclusion, then the simple fact that Fakhar has allowed himself to get drawn into team politics is a reason on its own.
That is incorrect. Fakhar's issue was with the PCB arbitrarily changing their NOC policy whenever it suits them. He had an issue with the PCB granting him an NOC for the CPL and then asking him to return to Pakistan for the Champions Cup on a day's notice and the immediately do a fitness test upon returning. Which is entirely justified. He also told Naqvi that 'you love to talk about surgery, but when will you do surgery within the PCB?'...which was a direct shot at certain PCB officials, and likely not taken well by those insecure cowards.

Fakhar should not have wrote that tweet but PCB's response is vindictive and spiteful. Because their fragile egos are bruised.
 
That is incorrect. Fakhar's issue was with the PCB arbitrarily changing their NOC policy whenever it suits them. He had an issue with the PCB granting him an NOC for the CPL and then asking him to return to Pakistan for the Champions Cup on a day's notice and the immediately do a fitness test upon returning. Which is entirely justified. He also told Naqvi that 'you love to talk about surgery, but when will you do surgery within the PCB?'...which was a direct shot at certain PCB officials, and likely not taken well by those insecure cowards.

Fakhar should not have wrote that tweet but PCB's response is vindictive and spiteful. Because their fragile egos are bruised.
Yes, I know all those details, but I chose not to add them in my post. Connection camp meeting was meant to address team unity and resolve issues affecting the national squad, It was not for Fakhar to air grievances about NOCs or PCB’s past handling of them. His complaints stemmed from a desire to continue securing NOCs so he could play T20 leagues worldwide, despite ongoing knee issues. With his fitness concerns, chasing T20 opportunities should be the last thing on his mind.

What Pakistan cricket truly needs is for players to prioritize national duty over the allure of these T20 leagues. Although the PCB’s handling of NOCs has been inconsistent due to frequent leadership changes, the new chairman, Naqvi, has now introduced a framework prioritizing national service and managing workload sensibly. Realistically, our players aren’t in a position fitness wise to be globe-trotting for these leagues while maintaining their form and commitment to Pakistan cricket.
 
Yes, I know all those details, but I chose not to add them in my post. Connection camp meeting was meant to address team unity and resolve issues affecting the national squad, It was not for Fakhar to air grievances about NOCs or PCB’s past handling of them. His complaints stemmed from a desire to continue securing NOCs so he could play T20 leagues worldwide, despite ongoing knee issues. With his fitness concerns, chasing T20 opportunities should be the last thing on his mind.

What Pakistan cricket truly needs is for players to prioritize national duty over the allure of these T20 leagues. Although the PCB’s handling of NOCs has been inconsistent due to frequent leadership changes, the new chairman, Naqvi, has now introduced a framework prioritizing national service and managing workload sensibly. Realistically, our players aren’t in a position fitness wise to be globe-trotting for these leagues while maintaining their form and commitment to Pakistan cricket.
You can't do a connection camp where you ask players to air their grievances and then get offended when they say something you don't like. PCB reason for doing this was inherently bad faith. If anything, they should have been looking inward because most of these problems have been created by the PCB themselves when they appointed Shaheen captain and then sacked him.

Cricket is not just a national duty but also a job for these people. They have limited years at the top and have every right to take up opportunities in T20 leagues if it doesn't coincide with international commitments. Which is what Fakhar did. PCB shouldn't have given him an NOC if they wanted him to play in the Champions Cup. It was highly unprofessional behavior that also affects that player's future opportunities in that same league.
 
PCB ... just like the country is run by the crooks and dictators. This guy (Mohsin Naqvi) destroyed the province of Punjab, previous elections ... what's player's cricket career to him??

Fakhar tweeted well before Babar was dropped.
Fakhar was replying to fans, cricket-experts/analyst who were speculating (or wanting) Babar to be dropped.

Extremely unfortunate!!!
 
You can't do a connection camp where you ask players to air their grievances and then get offended when they say something you don't like. PCB reason for doing this was inherently bad faith. If anything, they should have been looking inward because most of these problems have been created by the PCB themselves when they appointed Shaheen captain and then sacked him.

Cricket is not just a national duty but also a job for these people. They have limited years at the top and have every right to take up opportunities in T20 leagues if it doesn't coincide with international commitments. Which is what Fakhar did. PCB shouldn't have given him an NOC if they wanted him to play in the Champions Cup. It was highly unprofessional behavior that also affects that player's future opportunities in that same league.
Fakhar should have held a separate meeting with Naqvi to address the NOC issue instead of raising it during the connection camp, which was specifically called to focus on issues related to our national team. Who cares about these T20 leagues? I don’t. I only care about the issues affecting our national team.
 
Fakhar should have held a separate meeting with Naqvi to address the NOC issue instead of raising it during the connection camp, which was specifically called to focus on issues related to our national team. Who cares about these T20 leagues? I don’t. I only care about the issues affecting our national team.
Well you don't know what the specific agenda of the meeting was unless you were there. From what I understood, based on their public messaging, this was a meeting to discuss a variety of issues. And the NOC issue was very clearly an issue affecting all players, not just Fakhar. Fact remains the same, if you are really holding an open and honest discussion, you shouldn't get mad if someone says something honest but critical of you.

Sorry to say but that is a ingenuous thing to say. You can't say that you only care about issues affecting our national team and turn a blind eye to issues affecting our players. The players are human beings, they are pieces of cattle there to dance at our whims. Their happiness and wellbeing is central to the success of the national team. Also, they are the ones who have to think about their families and their future, not you and me. There is no reason why you can't play T20 leagues and benefit from that financial incentive while also reprsenting your country. There is like a T20 league every month. It is only PCB that is turning this into an issue. Most other boards either don't do this, or pay their players well enough that they are not concerned about their financial future.

It's very easy to say XYZ doesn't care about his country when you aren't the one that has to think about their families' future.
 
Well you don't know what the specific agenda of the meeting was unless you were there. From what I understood, based on their public messaging, this was a meeting to discuss a variety of issues. And the NOC issue was very clearly an issue affecting all players, not just Fakhar. Fact remains the same, if you are really holding an open and honest discussion, you shouldn't get mad if someone says something honest but critical of you.

Sorry to say but that is a ingenuous thing to say. You can't say that you only care about issues affecting our national team and turn a blind eye to issues affecting our players. The players are human beings, they are pieces of cattle there to dance at our whims. Their happiness and wellbeing is central to the success of the national team. Also, they are the ones who have to think about their families and their future, not you and me. There is no reason why you can't play T20 leagues and benefit from that financial incentive while also reprsenting your country. There is like a T20 league every month. It is only PCB that is turning this into an issue. Most other boards either don't do this, or pay their players well enough that they are not concerned about their financial future.

It's very easy to say XYZ doesn't care about his country when you aren't the one that has to think about their families' future.
I am not getting mad brother. I just think that Fakhar and his teammates should have discussed issues which were related to our national team instead of talking about NOCs which could have been discussed with Naqvi in a separate meeting. My original post talked about his tweet, fitness issues and the fact that Fakhar still has not taken down the tweet or even apologized to Pcb for making that mistake. It is unbelievable that he has involved his legal team to resolve this issue when a simple apology could have resolved this issue. You seriously don’t have any problem with this kind of attitude from Fakhar? You seriously think that it is okay to challenge your boss in a meeting and ask him to do a surgery within the PCB? Don’t you think Fakhar always wanted to create tension in that meeting instead of discussing issues which were more important than NOCs?
 
Lets be honest, current players shouldn't really take to social media to question their cricket boards decisions, if you've got an issue with Babar/X player being dropped then discuss it in person with the selectors.

I feel for Fakhar but if he had been selected for Aus/Zim then it sends a message to the rest of the Pakistan cricket team that decisions (in this particular case for the betterment of Pakistan cricket as Babar needed a break) can be questioned publicly with no repercussions.

I'm sure Fakhar will be back.
 
This is a prime example of cutting off one's nose to spite one's face....
 
I'm surprised rizwan took the captaincy in spite of this
Especially an opener who was willing to come in at number 4 for the team
And on top of that a member of the navy who has served and protected Pakistan
 
100% agree with this decision.

Can't brush aside the tweet and the influence these player agents try to have. It doesn't matter how good you are as a player or even if you're right (which he wasn't).
 
As per reports:

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman is contemplating retirement after being omitted from recent central contracts and white-ball squads for Australia and Zimbabwe tours. Fakhar's morale has taken a hit due to the selectors' handling of his situation and perceived inconsistencies in fitness assessments.

Fakhar was recently asked to retake a fitness test in January 2025, sparking concerns over double standards in the selection process. Although Fakhar struggled to complete the 2-kilometer run within the required 8 minutes due to a knee issue.

While Fakhar has yet to make a final decision, close associates are cautioning him against an impulsive retirement decision, highlighting his potential to continue representing Pakistan in the years to come.
 
Now in this time you will be left all alone . Where are Bobby and Rizwan to support him ?
 
Player power is the main reason why Pakistan cricket continues to suffer, and if the PCB cannot take a stand on this issue, nothing will ever improve, as the cycle will continue to repeat itself. Tomorrow, another player may take to social media to support someone who was dropped from the team, thereby stirring up politics within the squad.
 
As per reports:

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman is contemplating retirement after being omitted from recent central contracts and white-ball squads for Australia and Zimbabwe tours. Fakhar's morale has taken a hit due to the selectors' handling of his situation and perceived inconsistencies in fitness assessments.

Fakhar was recently asked to retake a fitness test in January 2025, sparking concerns over double standards in the selection process. Although Fakhar struggled to complete the 2-kilometer run within the required 8 minutes due to a knee issue.

While Fakhar has yet to make a final decision, close associates are cautioning him against an impulsive retirement decision, highlighting his potential to continue representing Pakistan in the years to come.
If he retires this will be a big loss for Pak cricket he still have cricket left in him and is an impact player.
 
Will Babar Azam issue a tweet in favour of Fakhar?

It is a good time for him to show his courage and leadership.
Although I prefer our players to stop social mediaing (to invent a phrase), Fakhar should've got the message after the Shaheen situation.

Shaheen publicly declared his loyalty to Babar's captaincy and what was his reward ? Being dumped after one series by PCB and Babar selfishly accepting the captaincy in a grubby deal with Naqvi weeks before the T20 WC.

Babar is a big boy who should fight his own battles.
 
As per reports:

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman is contemplating retirement after being omitted from recent central contracts and white-ball squads for Australia and Zimbabwe tours. Fakhar's morale has taken a hit due to the selectors' handling of his situation and perceived inconsistencies in fitness assessments.

Fakhar was recently asked to retake a fitness test in January 2025, sparking concerns over double standards in the selection process. Although Fakhar struggled to complete the 2-kilometer run within the required 8 minutes due to a knee issue.

While Fakhar has yet to make a final decision, close associates are cautioning him against an impulsive retirement decision, highlighting his potential to continue representing Pakistan in the years to come.
It'll be dumb move, this decision will surely impact PCT in short term however, long term loss will be fakhar's
 
Some journalists are reporting that Fakhar Zaman is considering retirement from international cricket.

What a sad ending, sacrificed his own career for Babar Azam.

He’ll go down as the greatest ODI batsman for Pakistan.
 
Our players are tools.

Why take public stands for Babar Azam when he doesn’t give a $&&@ about you?

First Shaheen was dumped and now Fakhar.

These guys never learn.

Anyway, sanity should prevail and one of your only impact players in white ball cricket should never be dealt in this way.

Need a competent people manager here to step in diffuse the situation. Sure you should discipline Fakhar and give him explicit warnings.

It should never been your impact player will get dropped and not even given central contract because of one tweet.
 
He's representation either let him down or followed his opinion. But this from Fakhar Zaman is ridiculous to do.

Why can't these players just shut their mouths & keep their dumb opinions to themselves.
 
He's representation either let him down or followed his opinion. But this from Fakhar Zaman is ridiculous to do.

Why can't these players just shut their mouths & keep their dumb opinions to themselves.
I don't think he should have given such a harsh punishment. They could have easily penalized him by deducting his match fee or something similar but dropping him from the central contract was too harsh.
 
Naqvi runs the board like his masters run the country. He doesn’t know any better.

A fine would’ve suffice. Maybe dropping him from the series too. But to terminate his central contract? And then make a lame excuse of lack of fitness?

If lack of fitness was the issue, how was Imad, who was barely walking straight, was recalled for the WC? How come Azam was played?

Unbelievably poor management by a total loser of a chairman.

Anyone still has doubt if Naqvi is the worst chairman we’ve had?
 
Our players are tools.

Why take public stands for Babar Azam when he doesn’t give a $&&@ about you?

First Shaheen was dumped and now Fakhar.

These guys never learn.

Anyway, sanity should prevail and one of your only impact players in white ball cricket should never be dealt in this way.

Need a competent people manager here to step in diffuse the situation. Sure you should discipline Fakhar and give him explicit warnings.

It should never been your impact player will get dropped and not even given central contract because of one tweet.

Rich coming from you because you would do the same for Misbah without request.
 
He's representation either let him down or followed his opinion. But this from Fakhar Zaman is ridiculous to do.

Why can't these players just shut their mouths & keep their dumb opinions to themselves.

It's how you give your opinion that matters.
 
Naqvi runs the board like his masters run the country. He doesn’t know any better.

A fine would’ve suffice. Maybe dropping him from the series too. But to terminate his central contract? And then make a lame excuse of lack of fitness?

If lack of fitness was the issue, how was Imad, who was barely walking straight, was recalled for the WC? How come Azam was played?

Unbelievably poor management by a total loser of a chairman.

Anyone still has doubt if Naqvi is the worst chairman we’ve had?
I said the same about the fine. The punishment must fit the crime and this is disproportionate. It shows that in desperation to show they are Hulk Hogan, they end up showing their badniyaati and stupidity
 
Fakhar has parted ways with Saya Corps confirmed by his brother .

That’s some serious politics trying to gain benefit at Fakhars expense.
 
That Fakhar tweet was beyond stupid though. He deserves getting sidelined in this fashion. Some mistakes are too big to forgive.

He has always come across as someone who is a bit thick and we have witnessed that with his shot selection.
 
Fakhar has parted ways with Saya Corps confirmed by his brother .

That’s some serious politics trying to gain benefit at Fakhars expense.
His brother now has deleted that tweet. Says corps is an establishment of PCT, you can't ran away.
 
That Fakhar tweet was beyond stupid though. He deserves getting sidelined in this fashion. Some mistakes are too big to forgive.

He has always come across as someone who is a bit thick and we have witnessed that with his shot selection.
Yeah this mistake is definitely not too big to forgive lol.
 
And why has Pakistan employed a captain from that agency again?

Everything is a joke. Why should Fakhar leave them? Stay with them now. Let them do what they want.
Fakhar's omission has left you baffled just like me and many others. Understandable reaction
 
Fakhar's omission has left you baffled just like me and many others. Understandable reaction
Baffled?

No. I am no longer baffled.

I just don’t see the point of calling out deceit anymore. It’s you people that are slowly waking up to it. It’s already too late I’m afraid.
 
Fakhar's omission has left you baffled just like me and many others. Understandable reaction
Look it's hard not to get political here because of who we are dealing with.

The guys in charge of the PCB have got the sitting PM in jail and instituted a ban on even mentioning him.

What did Fakhar expect? Did this puppu not know who he was dealing with?

The man sacrificed his career for Babar who doesn't have the guts to speak out now for Fakhar.

When you are this naive then sadly this is what happens in a country like Pakistan. It's dog eat dog.
 
Fakhar was the guy who won us the CT, and now he is being sidelined before the next one. He is literally our only modern player.
No wonder Kirsten resigned

lets bring back Sarfraz too, he was the captain of that team. Amir was the the highest wicket taker.
 
That Fakhar tweet was beyond stupid though. He deserves getting sidelined in this fashion. Some mistakes are too big to forgive.

He has always come across as someone who is a bit thick and we have witnessed that with his shot selection.
Absolutely. I don't know why He felt itz necessary to tweet in Babar's support.
 
Perhaps. I am pretty sure he will be back though. He is our warrior.
If by punishing Fakhar for a tweet (who was only supporting a teammate but the wording wasn't the best, I get it) PCB wanted to instill discipline they failed badly, the divisions are getting ever deeper between the players.
 
From what I’ve read on X (and these are rumours), Fakhar is not happy Saya tweeted on his behalf and he has ended his association with Saya.

Don’t know if it’s true or not but it makes sense. However, why didn’t he clarify this immediately. Maybe Saya put pressure on. Who knows.
 
Who is this saya? Why is it so influential?
They are the PR of Babar Shaheen Rizwan, Fakhar, they flew Rizwan to Nepal to meet with then alleged offender Sandeep.(acquitted)

The have so many fake twitter handles.
 
Mohammad Rizwan refrained from giving his verdict on the snub of Fakhar Zaman from the white-ball squads and men’s central contracts:

“There is no doubt that Fakhar Zaman is an impactful player of Pakistan’s white-ball team. Because he is capable of winning matches for the team single-handedly,”

“Even in high-stakes matches, Fakhar has single-handedly put us in dominant position."

“But as far as the decision is concerned, some decisions are out of our hands. The selection committee and the management are the ones to make a decision."

“They definitely had discussions and I hope this issue gets resolved soon,”
 
If by punishing Fakhar for a tweet (who was only supporting a teammate but the wording wasn't the best, I get it) PCB wanted to instill discipline they failed badly, the divisions are getting ever deeper between the players.
Just imagine every time a non-performing player gets dropped and his friends starts tweeting in his support and write against their own board & selectors. Is this right thing?
Fakhar is lucky he is a Pakistani cricketer and he has managed to escape from major punishment, had it been any other board he would have got ban of 5-6 matches or may be permanently out of the team
 
Just imagine every time a non-performing player gets dropped and his friends starts tweeting in his support and write against their own board & selectors. Is this right thing?
Fakhar is lucky he is a Pakistani cricketer and he has managed to escape from major punishment, had it been any other board he would have got ban of 5-6 matches or may be permanently out of the team
Most people won't understand your point.

They want a professional board but will write essays defending an unprofessional behaviour from an unprofessional player
 
That was 7 years back, time is moving fast and so we should

Our ODI batsmen in last 1 year and 10 months....


Fakhar:
4 ODI hundreds. All other batsmen: 5 hundreds.

Fakhar: Better S/R than Babar. Almost same S/R as the new captain.

Fakhar: 2nd highest batting average.


1730232348446.png
 
Mohammad Rizwan refrained from giving his verdict on the snub of Fakhar Zaman from the white-ball squads and men’s central contracts:

“There is no doubt that Fakhar Zaman is an impactful player of Pakistan’s white-ball team. Because he is capable of winning matches for the team single-handedly,”

“Even in high-stakes matches, Fakhar has single-handedly put us in dominant position."

“But as far as the decision is concerned, some decisions are out of our hands. The selection committee and the management are the ones to make a decision."

“They definitely had discussions and I hope this issue gets resolved soon,”
Lots of single handedly and out of our hands regurgitated in a few lines.

Impact player whose decision to be left out had nothing to do with a powerless captain.
 
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That Fakhar tweet was beyond stupid though. He deserves getting sidelined in this fashion. Some mistakes are too big to forgive.

He has always come across as someone who is a bit thick and we have witnessed that with his shot selection.
There was nothing stupid in that tweet tbf, he was just sharing his opinion.
 
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