Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batter Azam Khan is taking part in the Caribbean Premier League 2024. However, he is not having the best of times in the T20 league so far.
The batter who has not contributed many runs for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the league, was involved in a bizarre dismissal on Friday. Azam arrived at the crease as the No. 5 batter for the Warriors in their match against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. He managed to score only five runs in the last seven balls. After initial struggle, he tried to bring the momentum back by hitting a four against Shamar Springer.
However, the bowlers responded with a bouncer on the very next delivery. Azam tried to pull the delivery towards the leg-side but missed the contact with ball altogether. Rather the ball struck him straight on his neck and he couldn’t maintain his balance and collapsed on the ground.
As the bouncer castled him at the crease, his bat also hit the stumps, which put an end to his innings. Azam fell on the ground while holding his neck as the other team checked upon him. The team’s physio also had to come on the field to examine him.
Watch the video here-
— Cricket Cricket (@cricket543210) August 31, 2024
Warriors vs Falcons
He returned to the field after scoring a run-a-ball nine with just one four to his name. His dismissal left the Warriors at 77/4 in the 12th over as they were chasing 169 runs. The match went down till the wire as the Guyana team pulled off a heist to win the match off the last ball. Cameos from Romario Shephard and Dwaine Pretorious helped the team chase down the target of 169 runs.
Azam Khan has been under immense scrutiny for his failure to contribute to the Pakistan team. He was heavily criticised for his weight and fitness, which many think didn’t make the cut as per international levels. He had a decent outing for Islamabad United in their title-winning campaign at PSL 2024.
After that, he was included in Pakistan’s squad against England and the T20 World Cup. He couldn’t make any impact with the bat and was not considered for selection after the team suffered an early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 in June.