Shahid Afridi: “You can’t compromise on fitness. I would never let Azam Khan get anywhere near the team as far as fitness is concerned”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has lashed out at wicketkeeper-batsman Azam Khan, saying he would never let him “anywhere near the team as far as fitness is concerned”.
Azam has repeatedly been criticised for being overweight and even though he has worked hard to become fitter, it is still not enough in Afridi’s eyes.
The legendary all-rounder pointed out that there should be zero compromise when it comes to fitness as it is an integral part of succeeding in international cricket.
“Fitness is the main thing. If you are [unfit], your body language gives it away on the ground, be it while batting, bowling, or fielding. You can’t compromise on fitness. I would never let Azam Khan get anywhere near the team as far as fitness is concerned,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
“In England, the ball carries behind the stumps. But when they go to the West Indies, the ball won’t carry as much there, it will keep low. I hope he doesn’t struggle, but I am worried about his keeping against spinners in West Indian conditions with this fitness because the ball stays low there and you have to keep your body low as well.”
Azam did not feature in Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand as he was sidelined with a grade one tear in his right calf muscle.
The 25-year-old, who is the son of ex-Pakistan captain Moin Khan, returned for the three-match T20I series against Ireland and made 48 runs at an average of 48 and a strike-rate of 266.66.
He was then involved in the four-match T20I series against England, but failed to have an impact as he was restricted to 11 runs in two games at an average of 5.50 and a strike-rate of 73.33.
Pakistan will will take part in the 2024 T20 World Cup, which is being played in the West Indies and United States of America.
The men in green’s first T20 World Cup game will be against the United States of America in Dallas on June 6.
Pakistan Squad for 2024 T20 World Cup: Babar Azam (capt), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan (wk), Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed