ENG vs PAK 2024: Azam Khan faces fans’ wrath after prolonged wretched form

Azam khan. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Azam Khan has done well in various franchise leagues but has not been able to replicate the success in international cricket thus far. His indifferent form for the Men in Green continued on Thursday, May 30, as the Babar Azam-led side lost the fourth T20I against England by seven wickets at Kennington Oval, London.

Pakistan lost the second T20I, while the first and third T20Is were abandoned due to inclement weather. They needed to win on Thursday to square the four-match series. Azam, who scored a 10-ball 11 in the second T20I, came out to bat at No. 6 and departed for a five-ball duck as Mark Wood dismissed the wicketkeeper-batter with a sharp bouncer.

Meanwhile, Azam dropped a couple of straightforward chances while fielding. After his insipid performance, the 25-year-old, who is the son of former Pakistan captain Moin Khan, received a lot of flak from the fans on social media.

Azam has also been named in Pakistan’s squad for the impending T20 World Cup. He will be heading into the marquee event after scoring just 88 runs in 12 innings for Pakistan at a dismal average of 9.78.

Also Read: Jos Buttler heaps praises on Jofra Archer and Mark Wood post victory in 4th T20I against Pakistan

After being invited to bat first, Pakistan were rolled over for 157. This was after they scored 59 runs for the loss of one wicket in the powerplay. Usman Khan top-scored with a 21-ball 38, while captain Babar Azam looked good during his 36-run innings off 22 balls.

In reply, the Three Lions got off to a scintillating start thanks to their fearless opening duo of Phil Salt and captain Jos Buttler. They smashed 78 runs inside the powerplay to deflate Pakistan’s spirits. After the openers were dismissed, Buttler and Harry Brook finished the match with 27 balls and seven wickets to spare. All three wickets to fall in the innings were taken by Haris Rauf.

Adil Rashid won the Player of the Match award for his impressive spell of 2/27 in four overs. Meanwhile, Buttler was adjudged the Player of the Series after finishing as the leading run-getter with 123 runs from two games.