New Delhi: Former Pakistan cricketer Moin Khan came to his son Azam Khan’s defence saying that his confidence has gone down because of the way he has been treated over the years in Pakistan cricket. He also held ex-PCB chairman Ramiz Raja responsible for the damages to his son’s career. Azam has been a centre of criticism across the world for his poor form over the last few months.
Moin, who once held the role of wicketkeeper batter in the Pakistan outfit said that after watching all the games of the T20 World Cup 2024, he could confidently say that his son was the best suitor of the role.
“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. Then suddenly, after just one match, the entire strategy was changed,” Moin said as quoted by PTI.
Azam drew ire from the fans regarding his fitness as he scored a golden duck against hosts United States which didn’t go well with the crazy Pakistan cricket supporters. He was subsequently dropped in the highly-anticipated India game.
“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. Whether it’s the captain or the management, if they make such quick changes to players, how can we produce good players?” Moin, who scored more than 6,000 international runs, asked.
Why blame Raja?
Moin was critical of Raja as he put the blame for his son’s woes on him. As soon as Raja took over the reins of the PCB as the chairman, he dropped Azam from the T20 World Cup 2021 squad. He said that the chief selector should have been removed for making a “wrong” decision but nobody possessed the courage which led to the demoralising of a young player.
Moin didn’t just put the finger on Pakistan cricket but also shed light on the “shortcomings” Azam has. “He needs to make himself physically and mentally stronger, and follow the fitness routines of other sportsmen.” Moin said that his son has been working hard to improve his fitness with his trainer Shehzar Mohammed for the past few months.
Azam Khan has been an on and off affair for the Pakistan cricket team because of his poor form which has mainly been due to his physical fitness. His father Moin Khan recently said that Azam has been mistreated by Pakistan cricket. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
