PAK vs ENG: Azam Khan was demoralized by Ramiz Raja: Moin Khan's shocking accusations

Former Pakistan cricketer Moin Khan lashed out at the Pakistan team management for the mismanagement of young player Azam Khan. He said that the keeper-batter was demoralized during his initial days, and Ramiz Raja was the main man behind it.

Young batter Azam Khan has been one of the talented players that have emerged from Pakistan. The keeper-batter has made a major impact in the league all around the world. But for some reason, he hasn't been able to make the same impact in international cricket.

But it's fair to say that Azam hasn't got the desired backing from the team management at the international level. The keeper-batter hasn't been given a longer run, as whenever he has played for the team, he has been dropped from the team after a few failures under his belt while batting in the middle order.

Azam Khan, who is criticized for his fitness, was also part of the T20 World Cup 2024 squad. But he was dropped from the team just after the one game. Since then he hasn't been part of the team and has been also failing to make an impact in the ongoing Carribean Premier League.

Moin Khan, who is Azam Khan's father, blasted Ramiz Raja for demoralizing his son initially. He also stressed that the keeper-batter in his World Cup was treated wrongly as, ahead of the tournament, he was the first-choice keeper, but after that, the entire strategy was changed. Speaking to Cricket Pakistan, he explained:

“In the 2022 (2021) 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 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."

Azam Khan has his shortcomings too - Moin Khan

Moin Khan also added that Azam Khan, too, has his shortcomings, but he revealed that the keeper-batter has been working hard for his fitness. He also added that he has been working with trainer Shehzar Mohammad and has taken him along with the Carribean Premier League. He added:

“I'm not saying that all the blame lies with the team management and the captain; Azam has his shortcomings too. He needs to make himself physically and mentally stronger and 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,” he concluded.