Mohammad Hafeez and Misbah-ul-Haq have recently opened up about the recent comments made by Azam Khan regarding clarity and confidence in the national team’s selection process.
Azam Khan faced massive criticism during Pakistan’s T20I series against New Zealand last month for his below-par fitness level and batting performance. He managed scores of 10, 2, and 10 in three matches he played.
However, Azam Khan blamed the lack of clarity and confidence from the national team management for his below-par performance.
He expressed frustration over the inconsistent selection, which prompted discussions among cricketing circles.
Azam Khan openly being critical of Pakistani coaches he's played under for Pakistan, who were the coaches when he played, Hafeez/Saqlain/Misbah? 👀 pic.twitter.com/cTgwGUBiTL
— Ghumman (@emclub77) February 5, 2024
Misbah-ul-Haq, who oversaw Azam’s debut as head coach, highlighted the importance of overall fitness and discipline in cricket. While acknowledging Azam’s talent, Misbah emphasized the need for improvements in these areas.
“I’m not suggesting he [Azam] needs to be slim, but his overall fitness should be sufficient for optimal performance in the game. He also needs to slightly improve his discipline,” Misbah remarked during a discussion on a local sports show.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Hafeez, who recently stepped down as Pakistan team director, offered reassurance to Azam Khan, stating that the team management provided him with clarity regarding his exclusion from the national team after three matches against New Zealand.
“I promise you that I gave him total confidence. He was totally looked after and given clarity. Even after he couldn’t perform, I told him that I would look after him and he won’t be forgotten,” Hafeez shared.
Furthermore, Hafeez also commented on Azam Khan’s claim that the franchise uses him better than the national team.
The former all-rounder shed light on the competitive nature of international cricket, highlighting the limited opportunities and the pressure to perform consistently.
He emphasized the swift replacement dynamic in international cricket compared to franchise leagues.
“Franchises pick only four foreign players and give you ten games. However, if you don’t perform in international cricket for a few games, there are more guys waiting to take your place,” Hafeez remarked, underscoring the challenges faced by players in international cricket.
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