Former Pakistan cricketer Moin Khan has lashed out at former Pakistan Cricket Board’s chairman Ramiz Raja claiming his son Azam Khan’s unfair treatment during his time with the senior Pakistan team.
Azam was initially selected for the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia but was dropped from the squad days after the team selection.
While speaking about the incident, Moin told Cricket Pakistan, “In the 2022 World Cup, Azam was also selected for the team, but Ramiz Raja dropped him. At that time, if the chief selector had made a wrong selection, he should have been removed, but they didn’t have the courage, and as a result, they demoralized a young player.”
Azam had a memorable time with the Pakistan team. Following tricky years on the senior level, Azam got his big moment at the 2024 T20 World Cup hosted by the West Indies and United States.
He made his World Cup debut against the USA on June 06 where the side suffered defeat in the match. The side dropped the wicketkeeper for Pakistan’s remaining fixtures in the event.
While speaking about the unjust treatment by the board, Moin said, “I watched the entire World Cup (in 2024) and the matches leading up to it, and it seemed like Azam was the number one choice for wicketkeeping and batting. Then suddenly, after just one match, the entire strategy was changed.”
Speaking further Moin emphasised how Azam did not get enough opportunities to prove himself behind the stumps at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
“Azam wasn’t given a chance to keep wickets after one match and was dropped after getting out on the very first ball. Whether it’s the captain or the management, if they make such quick changes to players, how can we produce good players?” he said.
Azam has not featured for Pakistan since the 2024 T20 World Cup. Having played 14 T20Is so far, Azam has scored 88 runs at a strike rate of 133.33 having after his international debut against England in July 2021.
