Wahab Riaz: “He has also worked considerably on his fitness. We have given him a clear message and once he returns from the tour you’ll see a difference in his fitness”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan chief selector Wahab Riaz has defended wicketkeeper-batsman Azam Khan, stating that the 25-year-old has been working hard on his fitness.
Azam, who is the son of former Pakistan captain Moin Khan, has been repeatedly criticised for being overweight and unfit.
While he has taken steps to become healthier, including losing 30 kilograms in 12 months, many of his critics still feel he shouldn’t be picked in the national team.
However, Wahab has a completely different viewpoint and has backed Azam to show everyone that he can be a major asset for Pakistan.
“He has also worked considerably on his fitness. We have given him a clear message and once he returns from the tour you’ll see a difference in his fitness,” he was quoted as saying by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) website.
Azam made scores of 10, 2 and 10 in the recent five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which Pakistan lost 4-1.
He will now play for Islamabad United in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL), which begins on February 17.
Islamabad United Squad for PSL 9: Shadab Khan (captain), Naseem Shah, Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Rumman Raees, Matthew Forde, Salman Ali Agha, Qasim Akram, Shahab Khan, Hunain Shah, Ubaid Shah, Shamyl Hussain, Tom Curran (reserved), Obed McCoy, Haider Ali