'Please spare him, he is Pakistan's child after all' - Wasim Akram slams Azam Khan's critics

Selecting a team or a squad for a big tournament such as the T20 World Cup 2021 can be a bit tricky in Pakistan. Recently the selectors announced their final 15-member squad for the big event starting in October. There were a few surprise selections for sure, but it was talked about a lot more than it should have been, due to the media and some former cricketers.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and his old mate Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan captain, expressed their displeasure with the squad which was announced. Akhtar’s words were quite shrewd as he called the chief selector Mohammad Wasim a puppet. On the other hand, Afridi termed it surprising. 

However, former Pakistan skipper and fast bowler Wasim Akram has come out and delivered a message to settle all those who are pointing a finger at the team’s selection. He took the example of Asif Ali, who was brought back into the squad along with Khushdil Shah. The selectors also decided to leave out Sharjeel Khan, despite him being a part of the T20I squad earlier this year.

He is Pakistan’s child and he needs to be given confidence: Wasim Akram on Azam Khan being mocked

“I feel the team that has been selected is fine keeping in mind the next three World Cups. This is what I feel as an ex-cricketer and ex-captain. Rest, whoever wants to say can do so. You can’t pick a team based on people’s and the press’ opinions. There is a plan and system. Asif Ali is a fine talent. I understand that his form in the CPL wasn’t too good, but his strike rate is almost 170 in the PSL,” Akram told ARY News.

Akram further went on to urge fans to back the players of Pakistan. He also took the example of Azam Khan, who has been criticized for his weight. “Back the players, man. Stop criticizing all the time. It’s annoying and frustrating and I get so angry at times,” Akram said. “People are mocking him (Azam) for his weight. He has been trending on Twitter for all the wrong reasons. Please spare him. He is Pakistan’s child after all, and he needs to be given confidence,” Akram added.