'Any player can get out...': Ex-Pakistan skipper questions PCB for removing Azam Khan from World Cup playing XI

Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan questioned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for snubbing Azam Khan from the playing XI of T20 World Cup 2024 after he got dismissed on a duck in their opener clash against co-host United States. T20 World Cup 2024 was hosted by USA and West Indies in June where Pakistan failed to qualify for the Super 8 of the marquee event. The Babar Azam-led side suffered their biggest loss of the tournament against a non-Test playing team USA in their first outing. 

Azam Khan's father Moin Khan who captained the Pakistan cricket team said that any player can get out on the first ball but making quick changes in the playing XI is the reason behind Pakistan Cricket's situation. 

"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," Moin told PTI. "Then suddenly, after just one match, the entire strategy was changed."

Pakistan exited the tournament at the first group stage itself, winning two games and losing to USA and India.

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"Azam wasn't given a chance to keep wickets after one match and was dropped after getting out on the very first ball [against USA]," Moin said. "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?"

Azam Khan has not played a single game since his outing in the T20 World Cup, he is currently representing Mohammad Haris-led Stallions. 

Stallions Squad

Mohammad Haris (c), Babar Azam, Abrar Ahmed, Adil Amin, Azam Khan, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Jahandad Khan, Junaid Ali, Maaz Ahmad Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Amir Khan, Saad Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, Ubaid Shah, Yasir Khan, Zaman Khan.
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