Mohammad Hafeez: “After 3 matches, we thought that he’s not performing well enough so that his confidence doesn’t shatter to the extent that he can’t make a comeback”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan team director and interim head coach Mohammad Hafeez said the decision to bench wicketkeeper-batsman Azam Khan during the New Zealand T20I series stemmed from concerns about his confidence shattering.
Azam earned a recall for the five-match series after a string of impressive performances in domestic cricket and various T20 leagues.
However, the 25-year-old was unable to replicate that success when playing against the Black Caps as he only managed to score 22 runs in three games at an average of 7.33 and a strike-rate of 115.78.
“After 3 matches, we thought that he’s not performing well enough so that his confidence doesn’t shatter to the extent that he can’t make a comeback, because you know nowadays social media comes after you immediately after one or two performances,” Hafeez was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Azam is now involved in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL) and has amassed 156 runs in nine matches for Islamabad United, which includes a top score of 75, at an average of 26 and a strike-rate of 179.31.
Islamabad United Squad for PSL 9:Â Shadab Khan (captain), Naseem Shah, Jordan Cox, Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Tymal Mills, Faheem Ashraf, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Rumman Raees, Matthew Forde, Salman Ali Agha, Qasim Akram, Shahab Khan, Hunain Shah, Ubaid Shah, Shamyl Hussain, Obed McCoy, Haider Ali, Muhammad Waseem
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