'I left my breakfast and straightaway went to my father' - Azam Khan shares experience after learning about maiden call-up

When the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squads of the national team for the upcoming tours against England and West Indies, Azam Khan, the uncapped batter who has had successful stints at the Pakistan Super League, found himself in the T20I reckoning. Son of former Pakistan player Moin Khan, the young right-hander has played 36 T20s in a short career thus far, scoring 743 runs at a whopping 157.41 strike rate.

Pakistan is set to face England for three ODIs and as many T20Is between July 8-20, before they take on West Indies for five T20Is and two Tests, away from home. Azam, who is currently with his PSL franchise Quetta Gladiators in Abu Dhabi, ahead of the league resumption, is overjoyed by the announcement made by the national board.

“I was having breakfast when Nabeel [Quetta’s Media Manager] bhai told me about my selection for Pakistan T20I squad. At first, I thought he was joking. Then, I left my breakfast and straightaway went to my father [Moin Khan] and that was an emotional movie moment.

“I wasn’t expecting to be selected so early. I am happy because my hard work for the past year has paid off,” said Azam Khan.

Azam Khan credits Quetta owner and skipper for his success

Appreciating Quetta skipper Sarfaraz Khan and owner Nadeem Omar, Azam Khan said “Nadeem Omar, our owner of Quetta Gladiators, supported me a lot and gave me a chance in PSL to show my potential. Sarfaraz [Ahmed] bhai also gave me a golden opportunity to perform at those batting numbers, where I could perform in PSL. I will have to increase my efforts because I want to be a consistent member of Pakistan team”.

Notably, Khan has also been a part of the Galle Gladiators, the Omar-owned Lanka Premier League franchise. Expressing his delight on Twitter, the 22-year-old wrote, “Unreal feeling right now. Literally overwhelmed! Representing your country is the ultimate goal of any professional athlete. I want to thank both my supporters and critics for motivating me throughout my journey. Work hard and dream big. Pakistan zindabad.”

Azam is set to be in action once the 6^th edition of the PSL resumes. The league was abruptly postponed after the completion of 14 matches earlier this year, due to the sudden rise of Covid-19 cases inside the bio-secure bubble made for teams. After plenty of chaos, the season’s revised schedule was finally announced by the PCB on 3^rd June.

Unreal feeling right now.
Literally overwhelmed!
Representing your country is the ultimate goal of any professional athlete.
I want to thank both my supporters and critics for motivating me throughout my journey.
Work hard and dream big.
Pakistan zindabad.💚 pic.twitter.com/tPl7SlUEke

— M Azam Khan (@MAzamKhan45) June 4, 2021