Salman Butt: “I am a fan of Azam Khan but if he is not losing weight, he is not passionate enough to play for Pakistan”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former captain Salman Butt believes if wicketkeeper-batsman Azam Khan cannot lose weight, then “he is not passionate enough to play for Pakistan”.
Azam has regularly been criticised for being unfit and even though he has worked hard to get in better shape, Salman acknowledged that he still has a long way to go.
Azam recently represented Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup, but failed to have an impact whatsoever as he was dismissed for a golden duck against the United States of America, which is the only game he played.
Despite the power-hitter’s struggles, Salman confirmed he is a fan of the 25-year-old and thus wants to see him work on his fitness so that he can have a long and successful international career.
“I am a fan of Azam Khan but if he is not losing weight, he is not passionate enough to play for Pakistan,” he was quoted as saying by Khel Shel on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pakistan lost their first two T20 World Cup matches against the United States of America and India before claiming consecutive wins over Canada and Ireland.
Despite winning their last group stage games, the men in green ended up being eliminated.
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