'He grew up in front of me, but he's not helping his cause' - Wasim Akram asserts forthright critique on Azam Khan ahead of IND vs PAK

Nepotism in sports is not inherently problematic, particularly when preferential treatment results in positive outcomes. However, issues arise when the favoured player fails to perform and, more critically, continues to receive extended support despite underwhelming results. 

A parallel situation is evident with Azam Khan, the son of former Pakistani cricketer Moin Khan. Moin, an integral figure in Pakistan's cricket history, represented the nation in a total of 288 international matches. His son, Azam, has had an underwhelming start to his T20I career, accumulating only 88 runs across 13 innings in the 20-over format. His latest innings proved to be a complete debacle, as was his side's performance, with Moin being dismissed for a golden duck during their opening encounter against the co-hosts of the T20 World Cup 2024, the USA.

During a conversation with ABP News, the former Pakistani cricketing icon, Wasim Akram, deliberated on Azam's recent performance, expressing his viewpoint that the team's skipper, Babar Azam, required a power-hitting batter, a role which Azam failed to fulfil with his dismissal on his very first delivery. Akram further noted Azam's absence from the wicketkeeping duties, as Mohammad Rizwan assumed the role during the entirety of the match, and expressed discontent and a sense of astonishment over Azam's exclusion from the playing field for a significant portion of the match.

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"Babar needed a power hitter. When we played against the USA, you didn't play him as a wicketkeeper. He didn't field for 8 overs.  I just couldn't understand that," shared Akram, during a chat with ABP News.

Reflecting on his own playing days, Akram remarked that in the absence of prevalent social media, there were instances where players might not have faced as much scrutiny for lacklustre performances. However, he emphasized that in the present era of widespread digital platforms, such performances inevitably draw significant attention. Despite Azam's personal connection as the son of his good friend Moin, who have played with each other 191 times for Pakistan, Akram acknowledged the challenge of defending Azam's performances, which fell short of expectations. 

“During our times, you could've probably gone off the radar. There was no social media. You just cannot hide. Azam...he's my friend's (Moin Khan) son. He grew up in front of me, but he's not helping his cause,” added Akram.

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Despite their pre-tournament experimentation, Pakistan continues to search for the optimal combination. Azam and all-rounder, Shadab Khan, have encountered difficulties in establishing themselves as the linchpins of the middle-order, a problem Babar & Co. would hope gets resolved for them to have any chances of progressing past the group stage.