Azam Khan's Father Blames Ex-PCB Chief for Son's Exclusion from National Team

Azam Khan’s Father Blames Ex-PCB Chief for Son’s Exclusion from National Team

Azam Khan, the Pakistani batter, has been making waves in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with his powerful shots and game-changing abilities. However, his career has been marred by concerns about his fitness levels, which have also contributed to his exclusion from the national team.

Moin Khan, Azam’s father and a former wicketkeeper-batter for Pakistan, has criticized Ramiz Raja, the ex-chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), for hindering his son’s progress. Moin believes that Raja’s decision to exclude Azam from the squad prior to the T20 World Cup in 2021 was a major setback.

“In the 2022 (2021) 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,” Moin told Cricket Pakistan.

Moin also expressed his disapproval regarding the choice to drop Azam from the squad after a single game. The promising wicketkeeper-batsman failed to score in the match against USA, which resulted in Pakistan’s unexpected loss.

“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. Then suddenly, after just one match, the entire strategy was changed. Azam wasn’t given a chance to keep wickets after one match and was dropped after getting out on the very first ball,” he said.

However, Moin emphasized that Azam needs to become “physically and mentally” stronger to maintain his performance at the highest level.

“I’m not saying that all the blame lies with the team management and the captain; Azam has his own shortcomings too. He needs to make himself physically and mentally stronger, follow the fitness routines of other sportsmen. For the past month or so, I’ve noticed he’s been working hard to improve his fitness with his trainer Shehzar Mohammad, even taking him along to the Caribbean League,” said Moin.

Pakistan's Azam Khan Suffers Neck Injury in CPL, Raises Fitness Concerns

Pakistan’s Azam Khan Suffers Neck Injury in CPL, Raises Fitness Concerns

Pakistan’s Azam Khan Suffers Neck Injury in CPL, Raises Fitness Concerns

Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batter Azam Khan endured a harrowing experience during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Friday, sustaining a blow to his neck that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.

Playing for the Guyana Amazon Warriors against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, Azam faced a menacing bouncer from Shamar Springer. Attempting to pull the ball towards the leg side, he missed the connection and the ball struck him flush on the neck.

The impact sent Azam crashing to the ground, clutching his neck in agony. As he lay prone, the ball rolled towards the stumps, and in a desperate attempt to prevent a dismissal, Azam reached out and flicked it away. However, his bat and the ball hit the stumps simultaneously, resulting in a bizarre dismissal.

The incident left the Guyana Amazon Warriors reeling at 77/4 in their chase of 169. Medical personnel rushed to Azam’s aid, providing immediate attention. The unsettling nature of his dismissal raised concerns about his fitness and form.

Azam, who has struggled to find consistent success on the international stage, was part of Pakistan’s ICC T20 World Cup 2024 squad but failed to make an impact. His injury in the CPL has cast further doubt on his ability to contribute to the national team.

Despite the setback, the Guyana Amazon Warriors managed to secure a last-ball victory, thanks to crucial cameos from Romario Shephard and Dwaine Pretorius. However, Azam’s dismissal overshadowed the match, leaving a lingering sense of worry about his well-being.

Babar Azam to Bat at Number Four in Pakistan's Test Series Against Bangladesh

Babar Azam to Bat at Number Four in Pakistan’s Test Series Against Bangladesh

Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam is set to bat at number four in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, according to sources. This decision comes after concerns were raised about the team’s fitness following their disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup 2024.

Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt has praised Azam’s fitness and consistency, highlighting his impressive run-scoring record over the past two years. Butt emphasized the importance of maintaining fitness, especially after the criticism the team faced for their poor performance at the T20 World Cup.

The two-match Test series against Bangladesh will mark the first assignment for Pakistan’s new Test coach, Jason Gillespie. The first Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21, while the second Test will be held in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that spectators will not be allowed during the second Test match in Karachi due to ongoing renovations at the National Stadium.

The Pakistan squad for the Test series includes:

* Shan Masood (captain)
* Saud Shakeel
* Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness)
* Abdullah Shafique
* Abrar Ahmed
* Babar Azam
* Kamran Ghulam
* Khurram Shahzad
* Mir Hamza
* Mohammad Ali
* Muhammad Hurraira
* Mohammad Rizwan
* Naseem Shah
* Saim Ayub
* Salman Ali Agha
* Sarfaraz Ahmed
* Shaheen Shah Afridi

The Bangladesh squad for the Test series includes:

* Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain)
* Mahmudullah
* Zakir Hasan
* Shadman Islam
* Mominul Haque
* Mushfiqur Rahim
* Shakib Al Hasan
* Litton Das
* Mehidy Hasan Miraz
* Taijul Islam
* Nazmul Hossain
* Nurul Hasan
* Ebadot Hossain
* Hasan Mahmud
* Taskin Ahmed
* Khaled Ahmed

Hardik Pandya Loses T20I Captaincy to Suryakumar Yadav Amid Fitness Concerns

Hardik Pandya Loses T20I Captaincy to Suryakumar Yadav Amid Fitness Concerns

Hardik Pandya’s sudden removal as India’s T20I captain and exclusion from the ODI squad has raised eyebrows. The decision, made by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, has been attributed to Pandya’s fitness concerns and limited availability.

Pandya, who led India to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, has been plagued by injuries, including an ankle issue during the 50-over World Cup last year. Despite his impressive performance in the T20 World Cup, scoring 144 runs and taking 11 wickets, Pandya’s fitness has become a concern.

Former India pacer Ashish Nehra expressed surprise at the decision, stating that Pandya’s fitness and limited match play could be factors. However, Nehra emphasized Pandya’s importance in India’s white-ball setup when fit.

Suryakumar Yadav, who has been appointed as India’s new T20I captain, shares a close bond with former KKR captain Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir, who showed faith in Suryakumar during their time together at KKR, may view him as a long-term captaincy prospect.

Nehra believes that Suryakumar’s captaincy will depend on his form, equation with the coach and selection committee, and the team’s performance. He also highlighted the transition in the Indian team after the World Cup win, with Rohit Sharma remaining as the main captain and Shubman Gill as his deputy.

Nehra expressed confidence in Suryakumar’s abilities under Gambhir’s guidance, citing their familiarity from their time at KKR. He also noted that other countries have successfully implemented multiple captains in different formats.

Hardik Pandya's Woes Continue: Fitness Concerns, Captaincy Loss, and Personal Struggles

Hardik Pandya’s Woes Continue: Fitness Concerns, Captaincy Loss, and Personal Struggles

Hardik Pandya’s personal and professional life has been marred by a series of setbacks. His recent separation from wife Natasa Stankovic has been followed by his demotion as India’s T20I captain, with Suryakumar Yadav taking over the reins.

The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has expressed concerns about Pandya’s fitness, which has been a recurring issue for the all-rounder. The committee is seeking a long-term captain and is monitoring Pandya’s progress closely.

To assess his fitness in the ODI format, Pandya will represent his home team Baroda in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. This marks his first appearance for Baroda since 2018.

Pandya has faced criticism for his absence from domestic cricket, with former Baroda coach Dav Whatmore accusing him of neglecting his state team. Whatmore pointed out that Pandya has not played white-ball cricket for Baroda in years, despite being labeled as an all-rounder from the state.

Agarkar, however, emphasized that Pandya remains a valuable asset to the Indian team due to his unique skill set. However, he acknowledged that fitness concerns have made it challenging to consider Pandya for the captaincy role.

With the next T20 World Cup approaching, the selection committee is evaluating options and has time to make a decision on the captaincy. Pandya’s fitness and performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy will be crucial factors in determining his future role in the Indian team.

PCB Postpones T20 World Cup Squad Announcement Amid Fitness Concerns

PCB Postpones T20 World Cup Squad Announcement Amid Fitness Concerns

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has postponed the announcement of its T20 World Cup squad until late May, citing fitness and performance concerns surrounding several players. The PCB intends to reveal its squad on May 23 or 24, adhering to the ICC’s deadline for teams to adjust their squads without consulting the WC Technical Committee.

The management and selectors are closely monitoring the niggling injuries of Muhammad Rizwan, Azam Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi, and Haris Rauf. Their performances, along with others, during the tours of Ireland and England will be scrutinized before finalizing the squad.

The selectors will first announce the squad for the forthcoming tours, after which the team management and selectors will evaluate the fitness and performance of the chosen players before making the World Cup squad public. India, Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand have all announced their WC squads to date.

“It (delay) doesn’t matter because all these teams can change their entire squad by 24th May after that changes can only be allowed on fitness or injury basis with approval of the technical committee,” a PCB source said. “That is why the PCB and selectors have decided to hold off until after the first match in England.”

The source emphasized that the selectors aim to provide Babar Azam and other players with ample time to re-establish their camaraderie and cohesion in the dressing room before unveiling the World Cup squad. This extended period will enable the team to foster the kind of unity and synergy crucial for a successful campaign. The selectors are keen on creating an environment where players feel comfortable and connected, laying a strong foundation for the challenges ahead in the World Cup.

“For the time being we have sent a provisional squad to the ICC for public relations and promotion purposes,” the source said.

Harsha Bhogle Questions Hardik Pandya's T20 World Cup Inclusion Amid Fitness Concerns

Harsha Bhogle Questions Hardik Pandya’s T20 World Cup Inclusion Amid Fitness Concerns

Harsha Bhogle Questions Hardik Pandya’s Inclusion in T20 World Cup Squad Amid Fitness Concerns

Renowned cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle has ignited a debate over the inclusion of India all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in June. Bhogle’s comments stem from Pandya’s recent fitness struggles and limited bowling contribution in the ongoing IPL 2024 season.

Pandya, who captains the Mumbai Indians in this year’s IPL, made a comeback to cricket after a five-month hiatus due to an ankle injury sustained during the ODI World Cup last year. While Pandya initially bowled a few overs in his return matches, his bowling workload has been sporadic, raising doubts over his ability to contribute as an all-rounder.

Bhogle pointed out Pandya’s waning power-hitting skills and questioned whether he still merits a place in the T20 World Cup squad solely as a batsman if he is unable to bowl consistently. “If Hardik is not bowling, does Hardik make the T20 World Cup squad?” Bhogle questioned, while speaking on Cricbuzz. “Is he among the top six batters in India if he is not bowling? I’m not totally convinced of that because if he is not bowling and he is not finishing as powerfully, he needs to bat up, where all the competition is.”

Bhogle emphasized the importance of Pandya’s all-round abilities in balancing India’s playing XI, particularly in the absence of regular bowling options among the top-order batsmen. Pandya’s ability to bowl four overs provides a crucial additional bowling option for the team and ensures the presence of at least two all-rounders, with Ravindra Jadeja also in contention.

However, with Pandya’s fitness and bowling form under scrutiny, his selection for the T20 World Cup could hinge on his ability to regain full fitness and contribute effectively with both bat and ball.

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