Amid obesity-related severe criticism on social media over Pakistani power hitter Azam Khan’s failure to impress in the latest three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, the cricketer’s trainer has come out in his support.
In this article, we will delve deeper into the criticism Azam Khan faced over his weight and fitness and his trainer’s response to the criticism.
Azam Khan’s Poor Performance in T20I Series Against Afghanistan
Azam Khan had a disappointing outing in the T20I series against Afghanistan, where he could only score a single in two matches against the neighbors. He also received criticism for his poor reflexes behind the stumps, which revived the weight and fitness taunts once again. Fans and former cricketers questioned the wicketkeeper’s fitness, and he faced severe bashing for his weight.
Trainer Shehzar Muhammad Comes to Azam Khan’s Defense
Azam Khan’s trainer, Shehzar Muhammad, who has trained many of Pakistan’s leading cricketers, including Azam and has played first-class cricket himself, termed the criticism on weight “unfair.” Speaking to GeoSuper.tv, Muhammad said that an athlete should look like an athlete, but Azam falls in a heavyweight category. Unfortunately, there are no divisions in cricket like other sports such as boxing and UFC. His weight helps him generate power.
Azam Khan’s Comeback to National Cricket
Scoring a total of 282 runs in 10 PSL 8 matches earned the right-handed batter a comeback call in the national cricket as he was roped in the T20I squad. A couple of unbelievable match-winning knocks in Rawalpindi made Azam a top pick in the franchise tournament. However, a single bad performance in Pakistan put him under the knife.
Azam Khan’s Weight-Related Criticism
Azam Khan has been receiving weight-related criticism since his debut. Under Shehzar’s supervision a couple of years ago, Azam lost over 30kgs. His new look surprised many as it showed the hard work put in by the cricketer. Shehzar mentioned that Azam’s size and strength contribute to his sixers, strike rate, and potential to take over the game within no time.
Azam Khan Needs to Get Fit, But There’s a Difference
Shehzar Muhammad said that he is not saying Azam doesn’t need to get fit. If we take the example of Rizwan and Shan, they are super fit, and it helps them remain consistent. In Azam’s case, there is a difference as he is heavy weight since childhood. Shehzar said that Azam can lose weight, but it depends on how he is looked after then. If Azam loses a massive amount of weight, he can lose power.
Shehzar’s Training Experience with National Cricketers
Shehzar, who played 45 first-class matches, trained many national cricketers including Sarfaraz Ahmed, Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Mohammad Abbas, and Asad Shafiq. He has vast experience in training cricketers, and he knows the importance of weight and fitness.
Don’t Judge Azam Khan on Two Bad Performances: Trainer Shehzar Muhammad
The 31-year-old cricketer-turned-trainer urged people not to judge Azam based on two bad performances. He has the best strike rate against top spinners in the world. Azam needs space to succeed, and if enough chances are given to Asif Ali, then why not Azam? He is mature and can win matches.
Azam made his T20I debut back in Pakistan vs Afghanistan match in Sharjah.
