"I told Moin Khan don't ignore..." - Rashid Latif tears apart Azam Khan after his dismal performances for Pakistan
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has lashed out at young wicketkeeper Azam Khan for his continued poor performances in international cricket. Azam Khan has a poor record in international cricket despite having decent numbers in franchise cricket.
The wicketkeeper-batter was recently a part of Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. He got just one match to play, in which he bagged a golden duck against the USA. He was dropped from the subsequent three matches while Pakistan failed to reach the Super 8 stage.
Rashid Latif tears apart Azam Khan
In a video uploaded on X (formerly Twitter), Rashid Latif explained the reason why Azam Khan is failing continuously in international cricket despite performing well in franchise cricket.
"When you are selecting a player, you are not doing it under any pressure. That's his reaction from the dressing room. I've come from the Pakistan dressing room. If I am selected in the Pakistan team and I've come due to someone's recommendation, the captain of the team won't behave well with me. If the captain doesn't behave well with me, it will automatically reflect on my performances. My performances won't be bad in the franchise cricket because they have signed me," Rashid Latif said.
Rashid Latif regarding Azam Khan "I told Moin Khan don't ignore the importance and value of playing first-class cricket. Those that don't value cricket, then cricket will never value those players" #<!---->C<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->k<!---->e<!---->t p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->V<!---->7<!---->1<!---->E<!---->z<!---->X<!---->K<!---->U<!---->K<!---->W
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4
"If you're getting lbw or bowled in the first ten balls..." - Rashid Latif on Azam Khan
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Moin Khan is the father of Azam Khan. Latif mentioned the importance of first-class cricket and gave an example of players from other countries who have played loads of first-class matches before playing for their country
"When there is pressure, the forearms become tight and you get out. This is a different thing if the selection is right or wrong. I told Moin (Khan) that you shouldn't have left first-class cricket. If you're getting lbw or bowled in the first ten balls, then you're not looking at the ball. You're ready to hit the ball," Rashid Latif stated.
"If you look at players in England, South Africa or India, they have more than 100 first-class matches. I told Moin Khan don't ignore the importance and value of playing first-class cricket. Those players who don't value cricket, then cricket will never value those players," he concluded.
Azam Khan has an abysmal record in T20I cricket where has scored 88 runs in 13 innings at an average of 8.80 and a strike rate of 133.33. He came into Pakistan's plans for the T20 World Cup 2024 as he has the experience of playing in Caribbean conditions through the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Azam came into the Pakistan team as a power-hitter who could score quick runs in the middle and death overs. But his technique was soon found out as a string of low scores kept building pressure on him. His poor fitness has not helped his cause as well.
