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Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Moin Khan has expressed deep concern and frustration over the treatment his son, Azam Khan, has received from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its former chairman, Ramiz Raja. Khan believes that Azam’s potential has been hindered by the board’s decisions and actions, leading to a decline in his confidence and performance.
Azam Khan: A rising star with a setback
Azam, a promising young cricketer, has faced a series of challenges in his career. His father, Moin, has been a vocal critic of the PCB’s handling of his son’s affairs. Moin believes that Azam’s talent and potential have been overshadowed by the board’s mismanagement.
The T20 World Cup controversy
One of the most contentious issues raised by Moin was the exclusion of Azam from the Pakistan squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup. Moin argued that Azam was a valuable asset to the team and his omission was a strategic blunder. He criticized Ramiz, the then-PCB chairman, for making such a decision.
“I watched the entire World Cup 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. 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?,” said Moin as quoted by CricketPakistan.
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A Pattern of Mistreatment?
Moin has alleged that Azam has been subjected to a pattern of mistreatment by the PCB. He claimed that his son has been unfairly dropped from important matches and tournaments, despite performing well. Khan believes that this treatment has had a negative impact on Azam’s morale and his ability to concentrate on his game.
Moin has called on the PCB to treat Azam fairly and provide him with the necessary support to realize his full potential. He has urged the board to reconsider its past decisions and give Azam a fresh start.
“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. 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. He needs to make himself physically and mentally stronger, follow the fitness routines of other sportsmen. For the past month or so, I’ve noticed he’s been working hard to improve his fitness with his trainer Shehzar Mohammad, even taking him along to the Caribbean League. I hope Azam has learned a lot from this experience,” he added.
A plea for transparency
Moin has also emphasized the importance of transparency in the selection process for the national team. He believes that the PCB should be more open about its decision-making and provide clear explanations for its choices.
As the controversy surrounding Azam’s treatment continues, it remains to be seen how the PCB will respond to Moin’s allegations. The future of the young cricketer hangs in the balance, and the outcome of this dispute will have significant implications for Pakistan cricket.
