'Ramiz Raja Dropped Him': Moin Khan Accuses Ex-PCB Chief Of Demoralising Son Azam Khan

Azam Khan, a player frequently scrutinized for his fitness and perceived preferential treatment due to his father, Moeen Khan, has once again found himself at the center of controversy. Moeen Khan, a former captain of the Pakistan cricket team, has responded strongly to the criticism directed at his son.

Azam Khan, who was included in the Pakistan squad for the recent T20 World Cup, had a limited opportunity to prove himself. He played only one match in the tournament, where he was dismissed for a duck on the very first ball against the United States. He was subsequently dropped from the team. Moeen Khan believes that Azam was not given a fair chance and criticizes the team management for their hasty decisions.

Moeen Khan stated, "I watched the entire World Cup and the matches leading up to it. It seemed that Azam was the number one choice for wicketkeeping and batting. Then suddenly, after just one match, the entire strategy changed. He wasn’t given a chance to keep wicket after that one game. If the captain or management keeps changing players so quickly, how can we develop good players?"

He also recalled the 2022 World Cup, mentioning that Azam was selected for the squad but was dropped by Ramiz Raja. Moeen Khan criticized the chief selector of that time for not being replaced despite the poor selection decisions, which he believes led to the disappointment of a young player.

However, Moeen Khan does not completely absolve Azam of responsibility. He acknowledged that his son is also working hard to address his fitness issues. "I am not saying that all the blame lies with the team management and captain. Azam has his own shortcomings. He needs to strengthen himself both physically and mentally and follow the fitness routines of other athletes. I have noticed that he is working hard to improve his fitness."

Moeen Khan’s comments highlight the ongoing debate about Azam Khan's fitness and his selection for the national team, underscoring the complexities involved in managing young talent in cricket.