Abu Dhabi T10 – Azam Khan draws attention again as New York striker breaks Morrisville Samp’s winning streak

Perhaps a debut at international level is a bit premature. Or did he really not get the right opportunity? Azam, who played three T20Is for Pakistan in July 2021, scored just six runs in two strikes in the seven overs he faced. But he hasn’t played at the highest level since.

His time will surely come again; it’s a question of when, not if. But now, Azam’s batting ability is as good as ever.

The 24-year-old took Cottrell for 16 in the seventh, first slamming a ball over six before audaciously sweeping him across a deep back leg for another six and a tackle The ball ended the game.

Near Nortje, Azam scored 6, 4, 6 before the South African trapped him with a Yorker, leaving Azam three points short of his half-century. He now has 118 runs on 67 balls in four games for the Abu Dhabi T10 Season 6, averaging just under 40, and looks to be going from strength to strength. After the match, Azam spoke about the way he batted against the bowlers.

“Whenever I’m not playing, I’m on the bowling machine at a really high speed, so I’m not afraid of speed anymore,” he said. “There was a perception in Pakistan that I couldn’t face the tempo, but I’m playing globally now. [while] Score runs. It’s tough but you have to get up every time and work hard in the gym and I’m doing it. “

In the clash for the new franchise, the striker took the lead with a total of 110 balls despite losing wickets throughout. Kieron Pollard had to use eight bowlers but they did the job of keeping the Strikers level with Samp Army.

Pollard first knocked out the dangerous Johnson Charles before Paul Sterling picked up David Miller’s wicket. But Moeen and Shimron Hetmyer kept Samp Army in the game, and after they took Ravi Rampaul for 16 in the eighth over, the equation dropped to 31 with 12 balls needed.

Hetmyer held Jordan Thompson for six but West Indies’ next ball found his compatriot Pollard. Moeen struck in Rampaul’s last over, needing 16 for the last four balls.

Rampaul set up a heavy offside and the bluff worked as Moeen stepped across and tried to get to the leg with difficulty; and Dewayne Pretorius faced the same fate two goals later.

It was an impressive win for the forwards, especially after going from 66-2 to 8-110, but if anything, it showcased the value of having a true six-man hitter. Azam’s five sixes is one more than all of the Samp Army combined, and after an impressive CPL, all he can do is keep knocking on the door of the national team.

“It wasn’t easy for me — people thought I was a product of cronyism,” he said. “I’m performing all over the world now, so it’s up to them whether they choose me.”

With Pakistan’s batting order likely to be criticized for taking a somewhat timid approach after the World Cup, Azam represents something bold and slightly more dazzling: a desire to take risks and embrace the game. Ultimately, these experiences in franchise leagues around the world will only benefit Azam in his larger pursuit of following in his father’s footsteps and playing for his national team.