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Moin Khan, one of Pakistan’s most iconic wicket-keepers, has voiced his frustrations over how the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has handled his son, Azam Khan. And honestly, he’s raising some valid points about how young players are being treated in the national setup.
Azam Khan has had a tough ride in international cricket. The 26-year-old wicket-keeper has only played 14 T20I matches for Pakistan, accumulating 88 runs at an average of 8.80, with a strike rate of 133.33. His highest score remains an unbeaten 30.
These numbers don’t exactly jump out at you, but there’s more to the story. During the T20 World Cup 2024, Azam was given just one match. Unfortunately, he was dismissed for a duck in what became his last game for Pakistan so far.
Moin Khan, naturally concerned, couldn’t help but question how the PCB and the team management have treated his son.
A Sudden Shift in Strategy?
Moin’s criticism isn’t solely about his son’s performance. He points to a bigger issue: inconsistency in the way players are treated. According to him, Azam was initially seen as the number one choice for wicket-keeping in the T20 World Cup, but after just one poor performance, he was abruptly dropped.
“I watched the entire World Cup and the matches leading up to it, and it seemed like Azam was the number one choice for wicket-keeping and batting,” Moin said. “Then suddenly, after just one match, the entire strategy was changed.”
Read More: Moin Khan Opts Out Of PCB Role Due To Azam Khan’s Career
“Azam wasn’t given a chance to keep wickets after one match and was dropped after getting out on the very first ball. Any player can get out on the first ball, but here the tradition of developing players that used to exist is no longer there.”
He raises an important point about player development in Pakistan cricket. How can we expect young talent to thrive when the support system seems shaky? Players need confidence from their coaches and captains to perform consistently.
The 2022 World Cup Disappointment
This isn’t the first time Azam Khan has faced such treatment. Moin recalled the 2022 World Cup, where Azam was selected but was later dropped by then-chairman Ramiz Raja.
Moin believes that if the selection was wrong, then the chief selector should have been held accountable. Instead, it was Azam who paid the price, losing his place and confidence in the process.
“They demoralized a young player,” Moin said. “In this World Cup as well, you can see how he was played. I’m not saying that all the blame lies with the team management and the captain; Azam has his own shortcomings too.”
Read More: Former Cricketer Wants PCB To Back Azam Khan Despite Failures
Azam’s Response: Fitness and Hard Work
To his credit, Azam seems to have taken this setback in stride. Moin highlighted how his son has been working hard on his fitness, something that has often been criticized in the past.
For the last month or so, Azam has been training under his coach Shehzar Mohammad, even taking him along to the Caribbean League.
Azam’s commitment to improving his fitness and overall game shows his determination to bounce back. And that’s something Moin hopes will make a difference in his son’s career moving forward. “I hope Azam has learned a lot from this experience,” Moin added.
There’s no doubt that Azam has had his ups and downs in international cricket. But the question remains: Is the PCB giving young players like him the support and time they need to develop?
Moin’s criticism isn’t just about his son—it’s about the larger picture of how talent is being handled in Pakistan cricket.
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