Fakhar Zaman: “What impressed me the most is what Azam Khan has done. We were not expecting him to undergo such tough training, and naturally, his physique is such that we didn’t anticipate him to take up such challenges”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan top order batsman Fakhar Zaman heaped praise on big-hitter Azam Khan, saying he was surprised by his fitness levels during a pre-season camp at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Abbottabad.
Azam has been heavily criticised for being overweight over the past few years, but has worked hard to become fitter.
During the camp, Zaman conceded he thought the 25-year-old wouldn’t “undergo such tough training” due to his physique.
However, the son of former Pakistan captain Moin Khan impressed everyone with his grit and courage by completing difficult training challenges, such as climbing mountains.
“What impressed me the most is what Azam Khan has done. We were not expecting him to undergo such tough training, and naturally, his physique is such that we didn’t anticipate him to take up such challenges. Despite that, the way he has pushed himself, even climbing mountains when we were hiking, I mean, we couldn’t believe he would make it to the top. If we all show such courage, it could be very beneficial,” Zaman told TSFP as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
Zaman recently played in Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand and scored 104 runs in two games, which included a top score of 61, at an average of 52 and a strike-rate of 133.33.
Azam, meanwhile, was ruled out of the series after being diagnosed with a grade one tear in his right calf muscle.
The five-match series ended as a 2-2 draw.
Pakistan Squad for New Zealand T20I Series: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan
Non-travelling reserves: Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha
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