Wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has taken a dig at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in his recent congratulatory message for the team’s opener Saim Ayub. Azam spoke about giving consistent chances to the players in order to bring out the best out of them.
Saim Ayub recently smashed a brilliant 98 off just 57 balls during the second T20I between South Africa and Pakistan at Centurion. The left-handed opener smashed 11 fours and 5 sixes during his knock and remained unbeaten till the end.
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Azam Khan takes a dig at PCB
After Saim Ayub’s magnificent knock in Centurion, Azam Khan posted a congratulatory message for the opener through his Instagram story. Azam claimed that the players will be at their best only if they are given consistent chances in the team.
“When you give players consistent chances, that’s when they truly have the opportunity to perform at their best,” Azam Khan posted on social media.
Azam Khan Instagram story. pic.twitter.com/QdDafBvCfR
— 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞 (@CallMeSheri1) December 13, 2024
Azam Khan’s dismal T20I numbers
Azam Khan is currently running out of the Pakistan team due to concerns over his fitness and form. The wicketkeeper-batter last played an international match during the T20 World Cup 2024 when Pakistan played hosts USA.
It turned out to be a forgettable match for Pakistan as they suffered a shocking defeat to the lower-ranked USA in the Super Over. Azam Khan too had a poor game as he was dismissed for a golden duck.
After the disappointing match against USA, Azam Khan was dropped from the team. He has a dismal T20I record with just 88 runs in 14 matches at an average of 8.80 and a strike rate if 133.33. Since the T20 World Cup, Azam hasn’t been considered for selection and has also been asked to work on his fitness.
South Africa take a 2-0 lead; clinch the series
Meanwhile, it was a high-scoring game between South Africa and Pakistan as both the teams scored runs heavily. After opting to bat first, Pakistan scored a mammoth total of 206-5 in 20 overs on the back of Saim Ayub’s 98.
Babar Azam gave him good company with a quickfire 31 off 20 balls while batting at No. 3. Irfan Khan provided the late impetus to the innings with a fiery 30 off just 16 balls. Dayyaan Galiem was impressive on debut and finished with 2-21 in four overs with the ball.
Chasing a daunting target, South Africa were rocked early and were 2-28 at one stage. However, Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen stitched together a record partnership to put South Africa in command.
Hendricks scored a cracking hundred and was dismissed for 117 off just 63 balls. He struck 7 fours and 10 sixes in the match. But Rassie van der Dussen stayed till the end and finished on 66 off just 38 balls to take South Africa home with 3 balls to spare.