Misbah-ul-Haq: “I’m not suggesting he [Azam] needs to be slim, but his overall fitness should be sufficient for optimal performance in the game”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq admitted that he is still concerned about wicketkeeper-batsman Azam Khan’s fitness.
He noted that while the 25-year-old doesn’t need to be slim, it is important that he is healthy enough to perform at an optimal level.
Azam, who is the son of former Pakistan skipper Moin Khan, is currently playing for Islamabad United in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL).
In nine matches, he has scored 156 runs, which includes a top score of 75, at an average of 26 and a strike-rate of 179.31.
“I’m not suggesting he [Azam] needs to be slim, but his overall fitness should be sufficient for optimal performance in the game,” Misbah was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Islamabad have progressed to the PSL playoffs and will face the Quetta Gladiators in Eliminator 1 on March 15.
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