Atiq-uz-Zaman slams Azam Khan's selection

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Atiq-uz-Zaman has criticized the selection of Azam Khan as a wicketkeeper for the national team, citing his lack of fitness and inability to compete at the highest level. 

In a recent interview with a local sports platform, Atiq was questioned the rationale behind including three wicketkeeper-batters in the squad, comparing the approach of England to that of Pakistan.

"I don't think so. See, our issue is that we try to copy other countries, but we don't see the logic behind why they are doing those things. England has three wicketkeepers: Phil Salt, Jonny Bairstow, and Jos Buttler. There's a reason for this—they are all fantastic players, and there is a requirement for a wicketkeeper to play as a non-wicketkeeper for England or U19. You have to be a good thrower from the boundary, be absolutely agile, nail all your fitness tests, and have the ability to direct hit the stumps from within the circle. So, there are criteria, and Jonny Bairstow and Phil Salt meet those criteria," Atiq said.

"In Pakistan, we have a different mentality. We make a wicketkeeper out of someone who can't field. "Oh, chalo gi, make him the wicketkeeper so we can get rid of him." In T20, only 10 balls might come to the wicketkeeper, but those 10 balls can cost you the game. You must have seen how disappointing and childish it looks for Azam Khan to be an international wicketkeeper for Pakistan; he has been completely exposed. It's not his fault; he's been forced to do it. He's not a natural wicketkeeper; he's forced to keep wicket because of the structure of his body. In T20, one person can win the game and one person can cost the game as well, and that wicketkeeper position is so important," he added.

Atiq expressed his disagreement with the PCB's decision-making process, emphasizing the importance of having a top-class wicketkeeper in T20 cricket. He lamented that talented wicketkeepers like Rohail Nazir, Saifullah Bangash, Haris, Haseebullah, and Maqbool Ahmed have been overlooked or wasted due to the preference for Azam Khan.

"You have so many top-class wicketkeepers. You ruined Rohail Nazir, who was a talented wicketkeeper. Saifullah Bangash from Karachi was wasted by the PCB; he was very talented. After that, you will also waste Mohammad Haris and Haseebullah Khan just for Azam. Maqbool Ahmed, the wicketkeeper for Southern Punjab in domestic cricket, was wasted just to make a place for Azam. That is why they forced Azam to keep wickets in domestic cricket, because he had to play for Pakistan internationally as a wicketkeeper. All these things were planned for just one person," he said.

The former cricketer expressed his deep emotional connection to the Pakistan cricket team, questioning the conscience of the decision-makers.

"I am wondering how the think tank and all the people sitting there can be at peace with their conscience. Look, whether the Pakistan team wins or loses, it doesn't affect me financially or morally because I am not working for them. But the emotional attachment hurts because, no matter where I live, I am still a Pakistani," he concluded.