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Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan returned to form in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024. After a 75-run knock in the previous month against Peshawar Zalmi, the Islamabad United batter contributed with an unbeaten 29-run cameo on March 4. But former Pakistan cricketers were not happy with him gaining weight. Recently-sacked Pakistan’s Team Director Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, and Misbah-ul-Haq raised their concerns as they feel Azam has gained weight instead of maintaining himself.
On Pakistan’s show A Sports, a fan asked the cricketers in the panel, “Should Azam Khan and PCB will be concerned about his fitness levels?”
“I don't think there are two ways about it. He needs to discipline himself and control his weight. I have said this before that it is not about being fat or slim. Body-shaming is absolutely wrong. He needs to increase his running ability,” Hafeez replied.
Azhar expressed his concerns as well saying that the son of former Pakistan cricketer Moin Khan was fitter when he saw him a couple of years ago.
"Keeping performance aside, while watching it seems like Azam Khan is not maintaining his weight and gaining more. That is not a good thing to see because I feel if you saw him two years ago, his weight was less," Azhar said.
Akram agreed with what Azhar said while Misbah claimed, “From 113 kg he has gained (is back to) around 130 kg.”
Azam’s crucial cameo
The 25-year-old played a crucial knock against Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. He came in to bat after Islamabad United skipper Shadab Khan departed for a 51-ball 80. In the next over, he hit Salman Irshad for two fours. He hit Aamer Jamal for a six followed by a four in the penultimate over. In the last over bowled by Irshad, he managed to hit one four. His unbeaten 14-ball 29 helped Islamabad United post 196/4.
Azam's numbers in T20I cricket
He has scored 29 runs from seven innings at an average of 4.83. His highest score on the international stage is 10 runs. However, the aggressive batter claims that he is the best in the country for no.5 and no.6 positions in T20Is.
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