After the T20I series loss to New Zealand, Pakistan made the decision to drop their wicket-keeper Azam Khan. In his place, Sahibzada Farhan was roped in, contributing just one run in the fourth T20I of the five-match series held on January 19, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Azam featured in the first three T20Is, managing only 22 runs with an average of 7.33. Despite his reputation for hitting big shots effortlessly, he fell short of expectations.
Across seven innings in eight T20Is since his 2021 debut, the 25-year-old has accumulated only 29 runs, boasting an average of 4.83 and a strike rate of 90.62.
Although Azam gained recognition with 914 runs in 42 matches for Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), he has encountered challenges in establishing himself at the international level with the national team.
Meanwhile, the decision to exclude him did not receive favourable reactions within the Pakistan cricket community. Renowned journalist Mazher Arshad expressed the opinion that Pakistan are not executing the ‘correct strategy’ by dropping Azam.
"Azam Khan has played 7 innings in three years for Pakistan in T20Is and is now dropped for the 5th time in his short career. Never played more than three consecutive matches. Not sure if it's the correct strategy for someone who is known to play high-risk cricket."
"So Shaheen turned out to be the most coward captain. Azam Khan is the only Pakistani player who has natural ability of hitting big at number 5,6 but they dropped him after just 3 games & now playing an opener Farhan at 5."
A fan criticised Shaheen Shah Afridi, labelling him a 'coward captain.' The comment expressed disappointment, stating that Azam Khan, the only Pakistani player naturally adept at big hitting in the lower order, was dropped after just three games. He questioned the decision to play opener Farhan at number 5 instead.
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