Azam Khan, the wicketkeeper-batter for Pakistan, responded to criticism that he was to blame for the country’s poor performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup by challenging the notion.
In response to the criticism, which held him responsible for Pakistan’s lacklustre showing at the 2024 T20 World Cup, Azam Khan has responded by denying the blame.
The 28-year-old said he was made a scapegoat for Pakistan’s poor performance in the campaign when he was included in just one match to play only one delivery in the entire tournament.
Azam had pointed out that his critics had missed other players’ performances that were not up to the standard, as they were unable to perform when it was needed.
He noted that the Pakistan team of supposedly fitter and more accomplished players was unable to run up to the modest target of 120 against India, in spite of having a golden opportunity to come up with a crucial win.
Pakistan received another heartbreaking defeat in its T20 World Cup 2024 match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium (NCICS) in New York against India on June 9.
India set a target of 120 runs, but the Green Shirts were only able to muster 113 runs for seven wickets in the 20 overs they had.
Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah made a crucial impact in the game, picking up three wickets at 14 runs from the Pakistan batting order.
In the meantime, Azam had only come on the field once in the tournament in Pakistan’s opening game against the United States and was dismissed for a golden duck.
He was then dropped from the playing XI and played in no other match during the tournament.
The Pakistani campaign was futile, as they were denied a place in the playoffs in one of their more embarrassing early exits from a big ICC event.
