Azam Khan has been one of Pakistan's most talented players in the recent years in the T20 format. The son of former Pakistan cricketer, Moin Khan, Azam has not earned his flowers by most of the critics.
Some have questioned the influence of Azam's father over his selection, into the team. While others have constantly slammed the youngster over his fitness issues.
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The pressure mounted on his shoulders by the fans and the media, has not helped Azam one bit. When given a chance, Azam has failed to perform on most occasions. Moreover, the 25-year-old has been increasingly error-prone - either with the bat or behind the stumps.
Former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt, spoke about Azam Khan's commitment towards Pakistan national team. Another addition to the long list of Azam's critics, Butt has slammed Khan over his prolonged fitness issues.
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What did Salman Butt say on Babar Azam's commitment towards Pakistan?
Speaking to 'Sports Trends Canada', former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt has raised concerns over Azam Khan's commitment towards the national team. Butt called Azam Khan 'not passionate enough' to be unable to reduce his weight.
I believe Azam Khan definitely has the talent. But whenever he commits an error, people will always raise eyebrows over his (Azam Khan) fitness. He needs to address this issue. If he cannot address it, then he is simply not passionate enough to play for Pakistan, Salman Butt stated to Sports Trends Canada.
Salman Butt also stressed that if Azam Khan wants to play for his country, he would have to reduce his weight on his own. He also reminded the panel on how international cricket is a completely different 'ball game' and that the athletes need to look like athletes, at first.
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This is something that you need to do pesonally (reduce the weight). No coach or no friend will be of any help here. You need to train and diet to reduce your weight. If you cannot reduce 10 Kgs for your own country, then it is you who's at fault, Butt gave harsh advices to the 25-year-old.
International cricket and domestic league cricket are two different scenarios. To play against a team of 11 professionals, is a completely different ball game, Butt opined.
Salman Butt also dived deep into the possible causes of Azam Khan's fitness issues. All in all, Butt has raised bold, but valid questions over Azam's situation - the answers to which are yet unknown. The 39-year-old also opened about the harsh reality in Pakistan's culture - where body-shaming and racism are normalised in the mentality of the masses.
I am not a body specialist. Maybe Azam's fitness issue is genetic, or that he finds it hard to follow a strict diet, or he cannot get outside of his comfort zone to train vigorously. I have no idea how his diet is designed, but there is a problem.
An athlete needs to look like an athlete to be an athlete. I am a fan of his talent, but people will always resort to body-shaming - or culture, as you call it in Pakistan - whenever Azam Khan fails to perform, Salman Butt spoke on 'Cricket Baithak' interview with Sports Trends Canada.
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"I'm a fan of Azam's talent, but if he's not losing weight, he's not passionate enough to play for Pakistan," said Former Captain Salman Butt@im_SalmanButt#SportsTrendsCanada | #SalmanButt | #AzamKhan #SaimAyub | #T20WorldCup2024 pic.twitter.com/BQezNXUkLc
— SportsTrends (@SportsTrendsCan) May 31, 2024
What is Azam Khan's batting record for Pakistan?
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | High Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 13 | 12 | 88 | 9.77 | 135.38 | 30* |
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