Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi slams Azam Khan for his fitness ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. Legendary cricketer reckoned that it would be tough for him to keep wickets in the marquee event in the USA and West Indies because the ball won't carry as much.
The 25-year-old wicketkeeper batter is currently involved in the T20I series against England along with Babar Azam & Co.. He was unable to score runs in the recently concluded T20I. He just scored 11 runs in 10 balls. Pakistan lost that match by 23 runs. Azam Khan has played 12 T20I matches where he just scored 88 runs with a strike rate of 146.66 and his highest score is 30*.
Shahid Afridi on Azam Khan
While speaking to a local TV channel, Afridi expressed doubts about Khan's ability to keep wickets effectively, especially in West Indian conditions.
“Fitness is the main thing. If you are fit, 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,” Afridi said.
“In England, the ball carries behind the stumps (while keeping). But when they’ll 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,” he added.
Shahid Afridi further added that he doesn't want to demotivate the World Cup squad but he suggests discussing and criticing performances afterward.
“As a senior, my wish is to support every player as the team is going for the World Cup. After the World Cup we can discuss and criticise. But for now, I only want to support the boys and want to make sure that they don’t get any such message where they feel, ‘We are going for the World Cup and this is what Shahid bhai is talking about'” Afridi said.
Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 Squad
Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan
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