Moin Khan has expressed strong criticism toward former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Ramiz Raja. In a recent interview, Moin voiced his frustration, stating that his son, Azam Khan, was not given fair treatment during his tenure with the Pakistan senior team. He emphasized that Azam had to endure challenges under the previous leadership, suggesting that the handling of his son’s career could have been better. Moin’s remarks have sparked discussions regarding the management of players under Ramiz Raja’s administration.
Moin Khan Put Alligetion on Ramiz Raja:
Azam Khan was originally included in the squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia but was removed just days after the team was announced. This unexpected change came as a blow, as he was initially set to be part of the lineup. The last-minute decision to drop him raised questions and stirred discussions about squad selections and player management.
Discussing the ‘disheartening’ experience of the last-minute squad change, Moin Khan said, “ 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 Khan’s journey with the Pakistan team has been challenging. After facing several difficulties at the senior level, he finally had a chance to shine at the 2024 World Cup, co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States. He made his debut against the USA on June 6, but a surprising loss led to him being dropped from Pakistan’s lineup for the subsequent matches, marking a disappointing turn in his World Cup campaign.
He added, “ 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.”
Moin Khan further highlighted that Azam Khan lacked sufficient chances to showcase his skills as a wicketkeeper during the 2024 T20 World Cup. He stressed that Azam was not given the opportunities he needed to demonstrate his abilities behind the stumps, which contributed to the disappointment surrounding his World Cup experience.
He further said, “ 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?”
Azam Khan’s Cricketing Career:
Since the 2024 T20 World Cup, Azam Khan has not appeared for Pakistan. To date, he has played 14 T20 internationals, accumulating 88 runs with a strike rate of 133.33. His international journey began with his debut against England in July 2021. Despite his potential and the promise he showed early on, Azam has been sidelined recently, leaving his future in international cricket uncertain. His performances thus far have demonstrated his capability, but opportunities to build on his early success have been limited in recent times.
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