Pakistan cricket team batter Azam Khan faced severe backlash on social media after being dismissed for a golden duck during the T20 World Cup2024 match against the United States. Fans and critics alike have been vocal about his recent poor performances, and this latest failure has intensified the scrutiny.
Azam Khan’s Struggles Continue
A String of Poor Performances
Azam Khan has been struggling to score runs for a significant period. His lackluster performance in the T20I series against England drew heavy criticism from fans and experts due to multiple low scores and fielding errors. This poor run of form continued into the T20 World Cup2024, where he was dismissed for a golden duck in Pakistan’s opening match against the United States. Facing pressure, he was trapped LBW by Nosthush Kenjige on the very first ball he faced.
Social Media Backlash
The dismissal sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with many users mocking Azam for his poor form. Some even referenced the ‘nepotism’ debate surrounding his selection, pointing out that he is the son of former Pakistan captain Moin Khan. Comments like “If nepotism had a face” trended as fans expressed their frustration.
The Match: USA vs. Pakistan
Toss and Team Decisions
Monank Patel, the USA captain, won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan, led by Babar Azam. The decision was influenced by the conditions, as Patel noted that chasing targets had been easier on this particular ground.
USA’s Strong Start
The USA team, coming off a seven-wicket win against Canada in their opening match, displayed strong form. This victory placed them second in Group A standings of the T20 World Cup2024, with two points.
Pakistan’s Recent Form
Pakistan entered the tournament after a disappointing T20 series loss to England. The ‘Men in Green’ were looking to start their World Cup campaign positively despite their recent struggles.
Captain’s Quotes
Monank Patel on Team Strategy
“We will bowl first. We have been playing on the same surface and chasing is easy on this ground, also it is better to know the target. It was a great game and we want to continue that momentum. It is a new challenge and we want to make sure we play our best cricket,” said Monank Patel, reflecting confidence in his team’s ability to chase targets effectively.
Babar Azam on Team Changes
“We would have also bowled first. It is a morning match, the pitch is fresh and we will look to put the runs on the board. Good to see sun is out, we haven’t seen sunshine for the last 3-4 days. He (Imad) has an injury but we will cover it up by playing the four fast bowlers,” stated Babar Azam, confirming the inclusion of four pacers due to Imad Wasim’s injury.
Playing XIs
Pakistan
- Babar Azam (C)
- Mohammad Rizwan (Wk)
- Usman Khan
- Fakhar Zaman
- Azam Khan
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Shadab Khan
- Shaheen Afridi
- Naseem Shah
- Mohammad Amir
- Haris Rauf
United States
- Steven Taylor
- Monank Patel (Wk/C)
- Andries Gous
- Aaron Jones
- Nitish Kumar
- Corey Anderson
- Harmeet Singh
- Jasdeep Singh
- Nosthush Kenjige
- Saurabh Netravalkar
- Ali Khan
Azam Khan’s golden duck against the USA has intensified the criticism he faces, particularly on social media where fans have not held back their opinions. Despite his struggles, the match itself highlighted the USA’s growing competence in international cricket, marking a significant moment in their T20 World Cup2024 journey. As the tournament progresses, both teams will aim to address their weaknesses and build on their strengths to advance further.
