“I watched the entire World Cup and the matches leading up to it, and it seemed like Azam was the number one choice for wicketkeeping and batting,” Moin told PTI. “Then suddenly, after just one match, the entire strategy was changed.”
Pakistan exited the tournament at the first group stage itself, winning two games and losing to USA and India.
“Azam wasn’t given a chance to keep wickets after one match and was dropped after getting out on the very first ball [against USA],” Moin said. “Any player can get out on the first ball, but here the tradition of developing players that used to exist is no longer there. Whether it’s the captain or the management, if they make such quick changes to players, how can we produce good players?”
Azam has faced scrutiny right through his career for his fitness, and while Moin agreed with some of the criticism, he said his son was now working hard on that area.
“I’m not saying that all the blame lies with the team management and the captain; Azam has his own shortcomings too,” Moin said. “He needs to make himself physically and mentally stronger, and follow the fitness routines of other sportsmen.
“For the past month or so, I’ve noticed he’s been working hard to improve his fitness with his trainer Shehzar Mohammad, even taking him along to the Caribbean [Premier] League. I hope Azam has learned a lot from this experience.”
‘Removing Shaheen from the captaincy was unjust’
“Shaheen Afridi has the ability to lead the team and is highly liked by the players. He is an excellent choice for captaincy in T20s,” Moin said. “In white-ball cricket, I don’t see anyone else suitable for the role. Removing him from the captaincy was unjust.”
Moin also advocated for one captain for all formats, and felt that constant leadership changes only stood to affect team performance.
“Players may not listen to their captain if there are constant changes,” he said. “If the cricket board provides full support to the captain and assures them of a long-term responsibility, the team’s performance will improve.”
