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[Watch] Fakhar Zaman 'Hits Back' At Journalist, Defends Azam Khan After ‘Sifarish’ Remark

Azam Khan has been repeatedly criticized over his fitness (PCB)Azam Khan has been repeatedly criticized over his fitness (PCB)

Pakistan top-order batter Fakhar Zaman has defended the selection of wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan in the national side for the ongoing T20I series in England as well as for next week’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA.

During a press conference prior to Pakistan’s third T20I match against England, a Pakistan-based journalist questioned Azam Khan’s fitness and alleged that the 25-year-old has been selected in the team purely on the basis of biased-recommendation. 

The remarks made by the journalist seems to have irked Fakhar Zaman, who defended his teammate by launching a fitting rebuttal at the presser.

Fakhar Zaman defends PAK teammate Azam Khan

Fakhar Zaman stood up for his teammate Azam Khan after a journalist challenged the wicketkeeper’s place in the Pakistan team for the England series and the T20 World Cup 2024.

Fakhar responded that Azam was selected in the team by captain Babar Azam and coach Gary Kirsten on the basis of his CPL performance. The Pakistan top-order batter also described the journalist’s reasoning as ‘disrespectful’, and urged the latter to research on Azam Khan’s ascension into the ‘Men in Green’ team.

Notably, Azam Khan is yet to make a mark in Pakistan’s T20I setup despite making his international debut in July 2021. In his 12 appearances for the ‘Men in Green’ so far, the young wicketkeeper-batter has managed to score just 88 runs at a meagre average of 11.

Even in Pakistan’s recent match against England at Birmingham, Azam Khan scored just 11 runs in a failed run-chase.

The 25-year-old, however, does hold an impressive record in overall T20 matches, having tallied over 3,000 runs at a strike-rate of nearly 150.