Pakistan’s premium Test fast bowler Aamer Jamal recently shared unexpected insights about the toughest batter he has faced in the national team.
Contrary to popular belief, Jamal did not name the top batters such as Babar Azam or Mohammad Rizwan. Instead, he pointed to Azam Khan as his most challenging opponent.
Jamal praised Azam Khan’s exceptional hitting ability, emphasizing that the wicketkeeper-batter has consistently outperformed him in matches.
“In Pakistan, I don’t want to bowl to Azam Khan. The reason was that in a white ball, you have only two or three options. There are not many options. You can either bowl Yorker, Slow, or Bouncer,” Jamal said.
Addressing Khan’s recent struggles, Jamal suggested that the player is feeling the pressure. He highlighted the difference between league and international cricket, noting that teams study players thoroughly and exploit their weaknesses at the international level.
“The standards of international and league cricket are very different. Your confidence in the league is different when you go to the international league,” he remarked.
He pointed out how the opposition works on a player in international cricket, “Although you have performed well when the next team comes against you, they have worked on you and told you not to play here and there and that this is his strong zone.”
Jamal underscored the importance of supporting players through difficult times. “I think if you want to develop a player, the process will be that if you give him a start in the conditions that he has performed, his confidence level builds and boosts and he will give you performances in any condition,” he concluded.
Azam Khan, known for his powerful hitting, has excelled in franchise cricket worldwide, scoring 3,242 runs in 166 T20 matches at a strike rate of about 150. Despite his domestic success, he has faced criticism for his performance on the international stage.