'He Is A Match Winner, Don't Write Him Off': Moin Khan On Son Azam's Selection In PAK T20 WC Team

Moin Khan has said that his son Azam Khan is a "match-winner" despite many cricket fans calling his selection as 'Nepotism'.

Image: Quetta Gladiators

A lot has been talked on social media and in the Pakistani media about the selection of Azam Khan, the son of the former wicket-keeper batsman, Moin Khan, in Pakistan's 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

Responding to these comments about his son, Moin Khan has said that his son Azam Khan is a "match-winner". He was speaking during a press conference by newly elected PDB chief Ramiz Raja. 

Newly-appointed PCB Chairman Mr Ramiz Raja met his former Pakistan teammates Aqib Javed and Moin Khan at the NHPC.
Aqib and Moin were present at Ramiz's press conference following his election as the 36th PCB Chairman. pic.twitter.com/bYQCJGnv68

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 13, 2021

People have questioned Azam Khan's fitness. Khan while responding to these comments said, "Everyone keeps talking about fitness, which I agree is important. But, over the years we have had players who are said to be fit but don't perform. I don't need to reiterate the fact Azam plays for my own PSL franchise and has won us games, so the skill aspect has always been there. So I will just say that he's a match-winner, don't write him off," during the press conference. 

"I love when people criticize my son. I believe criticisms will bring the best out of him; it will make him a player," he added. 

Azam was seen hitting some big shots in the PSL

He hits them BIG!
Doesn't spare good quality bowlers either (I'm one of those)
More power to you Azam Khanpic.twitter.com/HoSyZcvGuN

— Emmad Hameed (@Emmad81) June 4, 2021

Azam proved his metal in the SLC T20 League by displaying his hard-hitting ability. He has scored 750 runs at a strike rate of 157 in 36 T20 matches which is not bad for a T20 player. Nonetheless, the debate about Nepotism would go on, but that's for another day. Khan thanked the owner of the PSL franchise, Quetta Gladiators as Azam was initially picked by Nadeem Omar. 

Pakistan's T20 World Cup Squad: Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Azam Khan, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim,Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood, Traveling reserves – Fakhar Zaman , Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir