Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Azam Khan took an easy catch off Will Jacks against England during the fourth and final T20I match of the recently concluded series. Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf was frustrated by Azam Khan’s sloppy bowling, and the video has gone viral on social media platforms.
The Babar Azam-led team suffered a seven-wicket defeat at London’s Kennington Oval on Thursday, May 30. The visiting team was bowled out for 157 runs in 19.5 overs. The Jos Buttler-led team chased down the target with 27 balls to spare and claimed a 2-0 victory in the final series ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.
Azam Khan had an outing to forget during the do-or-die match against England. The right-handed batsman could not contribute with the bat as he was dismissed for a duck in five deliveries. To make matters worse, the young cricketer missed two catches and disappointed the bowlers of his team in a recent match in London.
The 25-year-old missed the first opportunity during England’s sixth innings. Phil Salt attempted a pull shot from a short bowled ball by Mohammad but couldn’t get a decent connection and only managed to gain a lead. Khan stretched to his left but could not complete the catch and the ball went for four.
Watch – Azam Khan releases simple capture of Will Jacks
Azam Khan missed a second catch in England’s ninth innings. Haris Rauf induced an outside edge from Will Jacks but Azam could not hold on to the simple catch and also failed to grab it in the second attempt. However, Haris Rauf dismissed Jacks in the next over for 20 runs off 18 deliveries.
🤣🤣pic.twitter.com/hNDcycs1TX
– Pushkar (@musafir_hu_yar) May 31, 2024
The first and third T20I of the series were affected by rain. Azam Khan managed just 11 runs in two innings at a disappointing average of 5.50 and a strike rate of 73.33. Khan scored only 88 runs in 13 T20Is at an average of 9.77. However, he secured a place in Pakistan’s squad for the World Cup.
Azam Khan will be criticized whenever he does not act – Salman Butt
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt believes Azam Khan will face criticism for his poor fitness whenever he fails to perform. Salman Butt urged Azam to focus on improving his fitness to prolong his career.
“Everything about Azam Khan will be criticized whenever he doesn’t perform. This is because what he presents is open to criticism. He invites criticism because of the kind of fitness he has. He had problems with the short ball,” Butt said .
“People are going to talk about him. The way he came out today, his eyes were closed as he faced the short ball, and then his wicket-keeping. His fitness will always be under the scanner. I think he has to decide on his” “He should work on his fitness, otherwise it will be very difficult for him to play,” he added.
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