Alex Hales: “I think he’s brilliant. He’s one of the best hitters, strikers of a cricket ball I’ve played with”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
England batsman Alex Hales has lavished praise on Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Azam Khan, calling him “one of the best hitters” he has ever played with.
Azam has been the victim of immense criticism throughout his career, with a lot of it having to do with him being overweight.
While he has worked hard to become fitter, which included losing 30kg in 12 months between 2020 and 2021, concerns still remain about whether he can withstand the hardships of the sport.
The 25-year-old son of former Pakistan captain Moin Khan has also been lambasted for his inconsistent batting, with his critics saying he doesn’t deliver big scores often enough.
However, Hales has come to the defence of Azam, insisting that his ball-striking capabilities are at an elite level.
“I think he’s brilliant. He’s one of the best hitters, strikers of a cricket ball I’ve played with,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Azam recently played in Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand and made 22 runs in three games at an average of 7.33 and a strike-rate of 115.78.
He is now representing Islamabad United in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL) and has made scores of 13 and 1 in his last two matches against the Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators.
Hales is also part of Islamabad’s squad for PSL 9 and has made 36, 2 and 21 in the team’s first three games.
Islamabad United Squad for PSL 9: Shadab Khan (captain), Naseem Shah, Jordan Cox, Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Tymal Mills, Faheem Ashraf, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Rumman Raees, Matthew Forde, Salman Ali Agha, Qasim Akram, Shahab Khan, Hunain Shah, Ubaid Shah, Shamyl Hussain, Obed McCoy, Haider Ali, Muhammad Waseem
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