The much-anticipated T20 World Cup clash between Pakistan and India has taken an interesting turn with the exclusion of wicket-keeper batsman Azam Khan. After disappointing performances, Pakistan replaced him with all-rounder Imad Wasim for the crucial match in New York.

Persistent Poor Performance by Azam Khan

Azam Khan’s recent performances could be more satisfactory. The young cricketer was dismissed for a duck in the match against the USA, and his overall contribution in recent games has been underwhelming. He is Criticized for his physical fitness and on-field performance, but Azam has struggled to make an impact.

See Also: T20 WC 2024, Match 18: West Indies beat Uganda by 134 runs in one-sided clash

Imad Wasim Set to Make a Comeback

In light of Azam Khan’s poor form, Pakistan’s head coach, Gary Kirsten, confirmed that Imad Wasim is fit and ready to play. Imad, who has been on the sidelines since the T20I series against England, is expected to bring his experience and all-round capabilities to the high-voltage match against India.

Gary Kirsten’s Confirmation

Gary Kirsten’s announcement on Saturday has sparked optimism among Pakistani fans. He confirmed Imad Wasim’s availability for the match, stating, “Imad Wasim will be available for the match against India. We will make a comeback.”

Pakistan’s Playing XI Finalized

According to sources, Pakistan has finalized their playing XI for the India match, excluding Azam Khan. The team will feature four fast bowlers, two all-rounders, and a spinner.

The playing squad, as per the sources, includes captain Babar Azam, wicket-keeper-batter Muhammad Rizwan, batsman Usman Khan, left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Imad, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Muhammad Amir and Naseem Shah.

Azam Khan’s Struggles in T20I

Azam Khan, son of legendary wicket-keeper Moin Khan, has yet to establish himself in the T20I format despite debuting in July 2021. Over 14 innings, he has managed only 88 runs, failing to justify his selection in the national team.

Imam-ul-Haq’s Prediction

Pakistani batter Imam-ul-Haq seemed to foresee Azam Khan’s exclusion. He remarked that a player can only continue delivering performances, especially in the age of social media scrutiny. Imam’s comments came after Pakistan’s loss to the USA, where fans were vocal about their dissatisfaction with Azam’s selection.

“We have been so much disappointed. Azam Khan has no place in the team but they are still including him. He doesn’t know fielding and he got out on the first ball,” said one of the spectators.