Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has shared his feelings about his selection and opportunities within the national team.
In a recent video conversation with Desert Vipers alongside veteran cricketer Shoaib Malik, Azam conveyed his frustrations and emphasised the inconsistency in his inclusion and the lack of faith shown towards his abilities.
"I have always understood that when I play league cricket, I get a complete opportunity because they know I can win them games, so they are calling me here. That means either you are putting doubts in my mind that I am not good at this level, then it's okay, then I will find my own way," Azam Khan said.
The wicket-keeper batter also raised the issue of not being afforded sufficient opportunities to demonstrate his capabilities.
"In the last 4 years, I have made a comeback three times and I have never played a full series, so it hurts me a little that either you give me the full series or leave me out altogether, or don't hang me in the middle, so I regret this thing," he said.
The 25-year-old has stressed that he approaches every game with a complete mindset but feels demoralised when doubts are cast upon his abilities within the national setup.
He also shed light on his experiences with foreign coaches to those within the Pakistan team, observing a disparity in treatment.
"It is obvious that I play all my cricket with a full mindset, and when someone comes and puts doubts in it, then I get a little frustrated, because when I play with foreign coaches, they never make me feel like I am lacking something, but yes, when I play for the Pakistan team, I feel like I am lacking something because when I watch my batting, my innings, then I say that I am not less than any player," he concluded.
Last week, Azam Khan scored the fastest half-century in the ILT20 history as the 25-year-old led Desert Vipers to a thumping win against Gulf Giants on Saturday.
Azam broke West Indies’ great Kieren Pollard’s record of the fastest fifty (19 balls) as the right-handed batter did it on just 18 balls to steer the Vipers to a crucial win.
- Azam Khan
