'Then I will find my own way' - Star Pakistan batter slams team management for unfair treatment, seeks fair and consistent opportunity

Azam Khan, the Pakistani wicketkeeper batter known for his powerful hitting, expressed dissatisfaction with the national team management. Citing inconsistency in selections and a lack of confidence in his abilities, Azam expressed his frustration. Despite his reputation as a prolific performer in domestic cricket and various T20 leagues, he has never been consistent on the national team.

Azam has been featured in only eight T20Is for Pakistan since his debut in 2021, struggling with a disappointing average of 4.83 in those appearances. In a recent conversation with Shoaib Malik, Azam voiced his frustration. He urged the team management to either provide him with a full series or exclude him entirely, expressing regret over being in and out of the team.

He said, “In the last 4 years, I have made a comeback three times, and I have never played a full series, so it hurts me a little that either you give me the full series or leave me out altogether, or don't hang me in the middle, so I regret this thing."

“I have always understood that when I play league cricket, I get a complete opportunity because they know I can win their games, so they are calling me here. That means either you are putting doubts in my mind that I am not good at this level, then it's okay, and then I will find my way," he further added.

“You create doubt in my mind," says Azam Khan

Azam, the son of former Pakistan wicketkeeper Moin Khan, highlighted the lack of consistency in his opportunities, stating that when playing league cricket, he receives complete opportunities due to his trust in his match-winning capabilities. However, he feels doubts are cast upon his abilities at the international level, impacting his mindset.

“It is obvious that I play all my cricket with a full mindset, and when someone comes and puts doubts in it, then I get a little frustrated, because when I play with foreign coaches, they never make me feel like I am lacking something, but yes, when I play for the Pakistan team, I feel like I am lacking something because when I watch my batting and my innings, then I say that I am not less than any player," said Azam.

Despite debuting in the T20I series against England in 2021, Azam's chances have been sporadic. He played only the first two games and later featured in the opener against the West Indies without batting, missing the rest of the series. Azam returned to the T20I side two years later for the series against Afghanistan, playing only the first two games. His recent inclusion in the New Zealand series saw him play the first three matches.