Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez has raised serious concerns about Azam Khan’s fitness and commitment to playing at the international level. Hafeez, known for his candid opinions, stressed that fitness is an essential part of cricket that cannot be ignored, no matter how talented a player might be.
Hafeez’s remarks come after Azam Khan’s disappointing performance in a recent tournament. Azam, the son of former cricketer Moin Khan, scored zero runs in Pakistan’s opening match against the USA. His poor form and evident lack of fitness resulted in him being dropped from the subsequent matches against India and Canada, where all-rounder Imad Wasim took his place.
Speaking to a local news channel, Mohammad Hafeez didn’t hold back in his critique. He highlighted a striking contrast between Azam and the rest of the Pakistan team regarding fitness levels. “The whole Pakistan team can cover two kilometers in 10 minutes while Azam Khan will take 20 minutes to cover the distance. Sadly, Azam Khan is not serious about playing international cricket,” Hafeez stated.
Hafeez has consistently advocated for high fitness standards in international cricket. In earlier interviews, he pointed out that while being naturally lean or heavier isn’t an issue, players must meet the physical demands of the game. He revealed that Azam had been given a fitness plan but failed to improve. “You need to work according to the needs of the game. You need to bring your fitness to a required level. We gave him a fitness plan, but he [Azam] could not improve,” Hafeez said.
Hafeez emphasized that talent alone isn’t enough; fitness is a crucial component of success in cricket. “You are in the team because of your talent, but you need to respond in case of fitness. You are the only one in the team on whom we have compromised on the grounds of fitness,” he concluded.
Hafeez’s comments highlight a growing concern within cricketing circles about the importance of maintaining high fitness standards. Azam Khan’s case serves as a reminder that natural talent must be paired with dedication to physical fitness to succeed at the highest levels of the sport.
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