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"Once Azam Khan plays in PSL, I don't think anybody will question his selection" : Sarfaraz Ahmed

I think it has more to do with skill level than anything. Samit Patel, Shamsi, Cornwall are all in the same category but that is international level where competition is high and fitness matters; not PSL where owner can play whoever they want to play. We shouldn't be selecting international teams from PSL performance anyways. This is a clear case of Moeen selecting his son over many other deserving players and he should do it but it is Pakistan and this is the case EVERYWHERE you see it. Just the honest truth.
 
Moin the shameless clown . Hoping for that Azam to embarrass himself and then his shameless dad talking again in support of his son.
 
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MenInG said:
PSL teams aren't Pakistan sides. Owners feel its their money so they do what they like with it!

PCB should have put some criteria on draft list but they didnt it seems....
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Well actually they can. Its their money after all. PCB cannot do much tbh

Such shameless selection happens in IPL too.

Aryaman Birla, son of billionaire Kumar Birla, was picked by Rajasthan royals. Guess what? Birlas ultratech cement sponsors RR. This year RR has a new sponsor, Aryaman Birla finds himself dropped.

Aniruddha Srikant son of Kris Srikant was a regular in CSK side and India A when his father was chairman of selectors. Father left selection committee son doesn't find a place.

Tejaswi Yadav, son of former Bihar CM Lalu and Rabri Devi and Railway minister. Himself former Bihar Deputy CM was picked in Delhi Daredevils squad.

Its the owner who is putting his money, you dont want to rub his ego the wrong way.
 
My heart goes out to those lads who are sweating blood and tears for years waiting for their chance to play in the PSL and guys like Azam Khan are picked instead.
 
cricketjoshila said:
Well actually they can. Its their money after all. PCB cannot do much tbh

Such shameless selection happens in IPL too.

Aryaman Birla, son of billionaire Kumar Birla, was picked by Rajasthan royals. Guess what? Birlas ultratech cement sponsors RR. This year RR has a new sponsor, Aryaman Birla finds himself dropped.

Aniruddha Srikant son of Kris Srikant was a regular in CSK side and India A when his father was chairman of selectors. Father left selection committee son doesn't find a place.

Tejaswi Yadav, son of former Bihar CM Lalu and Rabri Devi and Railway minister. Himself former Bihar Deputy CM was picked in Delhi Daredevils squad.

Its the owner who is putting his money, you dont want to rub his ego the wrong way.
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I heard Virender Sehwag's nephew was also picked in IPL and U19 WC for India.
 
Saj said:
Incredible, shameless, disgusting but nobody will speak up about it.

I blame the owner really.
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It's sad honestly, that spot could have gone to a youngster with much more talent who could serve Pakistan internationally but instead it went to him.

Also could have gone to a player who's been playing domestics but is struggling financially and really needed this to turn cricket into their occupation, instead its gone to a guy with no real talent or performance and also a guy with no troubles financially.
 
Saj said:
My heart goes out to those lads who are sweating blood and tears for years waiting for their chance to play in the PSL and guys like Azam Khan are picked instead.
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We can safely say that Azam will not do that, or any kind of sweating
 
ZamanFan said:
The so called legends or 90s stars have only contributed devastation to generations of players.

Waqar Younis as coach, Inzamam ul haq as chief selector, Ijaz Ahmed as u19 coach. All have destroyed careers to protect their favorite few players.
Azam Khan atleast is not in the team while Imam ul haq is.
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I can only laugh at your Azam Khan and Imam ul Haq comparison.
 
ZamanFan said:
[MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION]

Congrats Misbah son Faham ul haq has found his way in the u14 trials and off course inzamam son was already being forced in the u19 team last year.
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Lets wait and see Faham play before you decide he is good or bad. Azam is a parchi in every way and should not be anywhere near the PSL.
 
squanchy said:
PCB really needs an anti-corruption task force. This is nepotism no questions asked. He's not good enough to deserve a place in the squad at the expense of many more talented players.

****ing ludicrous.
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It's not the PCB's teams.

The teams belong to the owners.

They have paid the big bucks and invested their own personal money. They can do whatever they want within the draft requirements.
 
Abdullah719 said:
The owner said in 2017: I think Azam Khan is the cleanest hitter in Pakistan at the moment. Moin has put a lot of emphasis on his fitness and he will become fit. But I can assure you, if you see his game, you'll forget Chris Gayle.

Guess he's still waiting for this investment to pay dividends...
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Shameless stuff from the owner.

Yes he's putting money into the team, but what pathetic and low-level thinking.

Either he's brainwashed or he thinks everybody else is stupid.
 
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This man is an inspiration to everyone with a beer belly or too fond of biryani.

May his career last many decades.
 
Saj said:
Shameless stuff from the owner.

Yes he's putting money into the team, but what pathetic and low-level thinking.

Either he's brainwashed or he thinks everybody else is stupid.
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Even he has to keep the coach happy lol, atleast this kid never actually plays, that's the one good thing about cricket.
You cannot get away with even a single weak link and expect to win.
 
Don't see why people complain about him or PSL not providing enough opportunities to new faces. Azam Khan is not playing for the national side. PSL is franchise cricket and its not their job to give opportunities to young players. The owner who is paying for his contract has no issues with his selection.
 
They don't have single player from blochistan in team, are all Balochistan players bad than azam khan
 
aukhan said:
Don't see why people complain about him or PSL not providing enough opportunities to new faces. Azam Khan is not playing for the national side. PSL is franchise cricket and its not their job to give opportunities to young players. The owner who is paying for his contract has no issues with his selection.
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True and that is where PCB needs to lay down the law.
 
aukhan said:
Don't see why people complain about him or PSL not providing enough opportunities to new faces. Azam Khan is not playing for the national side. PSL is franchise cricket and its not their job to give opportunities to young players. The owner who is paying for his contract has no issues with his selection.
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It makes a mockery of having a draft.

May as well pick a team made up of friends and relatives then.
 
I dont really get naming teams after cities when you dont pick enough players from the region , at least pick the local players frpm the province.
 
What is hilarious, however, was the Head of Media & Player Acquisition for Quetta complaining about favouritism in the Pakistan U-19 squad.
 
Gotham Cronie said:
What is hilarious, however, was the Head of Media & Player Acquisition for Quetta complaining about favouritism in the Pakistan U-19 squad.
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Quetta is easily one of those teams you can hate on.

LQ = Promoting and backing Butt.
Multan = Shan Masood as their captain. Friends galore.
Quetta = Azam.
 
Saj said:
Shameless stuff from the owner.

Yes he's putting money into the team, but what pathetic and low-level thinking.

Either he's brainwashed or he thinks everybody else is stupid.
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Funny thing is that Azam has got the support from media as well, the same media which always target Imam.
 
minamino said:
Funny thing is that Azam has got the support from media as well, the same media which always target Imam.
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Cuz it's all Karachi-based.

Media will never go against Sarfraz, Moin Khan, etc. cuz it's their "own" players.
 
minamino said:
Funny thing is that Azam has got the support from media as well, the same media which always target Imam.
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Because many of them can be found at Moin Khan's house or at his academy on a regular basis.
 
Saj said:
Because many of them can be found at Moin Khan's house or at his academy on a regular basis.
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One of the journalists said that he has seen Azam Khan bat and he is one of the best clean hitters not just in Pakistan but also the world. In the same show, Moin Khan said that he is working on his weight but it was two years ago and yet he looks more or less the same.
 
minamino said:
One of the journalists said that he has seen Azam Khan bat and he is one of the best clean hitters not just in Pakistan but also the world.
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So if that's the case why hasn't he been playing in domestic cricket on a regular basis and hitting the headlines.

I think that journo must be on the Moin Khan payroll.
 
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MenInG said:
True and that is where PCB needs to lay down the law.
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PCB can't interfere and shouldn't interfere. This is what franchise cricket is about. Its a private team. PCB should only be concerned when families of its officials/managers/selectors are getting selected in national or domestic teams.
 
aukhan said:
PCB can't interfere and shouldn't interfere. This is what franchise cricket is about. Its a private team. PCB should only be concerned when families of its officials/managers/selectors are getting selected in national or domestic teams.
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The pool of players that are offered for draft must meet some basic criteria. That list should come from PCB and obviously can be done as a collaboration with franchises - the idea is to ensure that some basic standard is met.
 
Saj said:
It makes a mockery of having a draft.

May as well pick a team made up of friends and relatives then.
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The draft itself is a joke but its franchise cricket so can't complain about the implementation and rules. Majority of the fans for some reason are considering it as a domestic tournament where players from Quetta region will play and new names will get their chances. Owner is within his right to select and play who ever he wants to.

Its not national T20 competition. These expectations should be kept from domestic T20 competition.
 
MenInG said:
The pool of players that are offered for draft must meet some basic criteria. That list should come from PCB and obviously can be done as a collaboration with franchises - the idea is to ensure that some basic standard is met.
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Lol that’s funny. Most of the LQ players were not even in the draft players list.
 
MenInG said:
The pool of players that are offered for draft must meet some basic criteria. That list should come from PCB and obviously can be done as a collaboration with franchises - the idea is to ensure that some basic standard is met.
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Agree with it but it will not happen and we have to accept it.

We should focus on national T20 tournament which has become irrelevant since the birth of PSL. That tournament was producing/introducing new names from different regions. PSL is a private team and they should not be criticized in my view for not giving chances to youngsters. Everyone wants to be part of PSL because of money and thats what PSL is all about at the end of day.
 
Breaking news: Azam Khan has vowed to lose weight to shut up all his doubters and nay sayers once and for all. As evidence, while emptying the full daig of biryani singlehandedly he compared it to wrecking a team and winning a game singlehandedly for his team and showcsed his stamina and agility. As a kicker he showed that he left some rice stuck to the walls of the biryani pot as evidence of his calorie defecit diet he is under going. Surely he will do the gladdiators proud. Parch! my foot says the lad, I am no parch! i am the full encyclopedia.
 
reversehook said:
Breaking news: Azam Khan has vowed to lose weight to shut up all his doubters and nay sayers once and for all. As evidence, while emptying the full daig of biryani singlehandedly he compared it to wrecking a team and winning a game singlehandedly for his team and showcsed his stamina and agility. As a kicker he showed that he left some rice stuck to the walls of the biryani pot as evidence of his calorie defecit diet he is under going. Surely he will do the gladdiators proud. Parch! my foot says the lad, I am no parch! i am the full encyclopedia.
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lame attempt at being funny :ifti:shhh
 
Hahaha the silence around this thread is baffling.

Azam is definitely way ahead in power hitting compared to Imam ul Haq.

This statement by Sarfaraz had shocked me as well. During U 16 trials Azam was learnt to have huge hitting ability but he has lot of issues as well. He had trouble finding gaps and scoops catches to deep fielders quite regularly.

IU bowling fed him a lot of loose bowls and dropped him [and probably the match] early on to help his confidence which he took ful advantage of. Was smart enough not to overtry hitting on slower deliveries and the bowling he faced was all on his strengths.

Thankfully now QG can select a deserving emerging player and remove him from that category which has served its purpose to keep him in the squad for last 2 years.
 
Very good start. Fitness aside, let's see if he has the capability to score consistently. Also, will be interesting to see how he responds when the opposition study his game more.
 
I cannot believe my eyes today, this is a very rare sight.
A parchi played an unbelievable innings.
 
I'm sure I'm not the only one who was surprised with Azma's batting, what a clean hitter he is. Just need to work on his fitness.
 
But but but sarafraz only said that because he’s on Moin Khan’s payroll.
 
Actually more than the innings, I was impressed by his post game presser... kid has a level head... sounded very mature for a Pakistani player...
 
Credit goes to owner who believed in his ability and persisted with him despite the criticism.
 
Azam Khan Batting::::::

looks like have some potential. How old is he?

Both M Haris of U19 and this kid should be given chances in T20 team
 
Looks like this kid is far better hitter than Fahim and Asif combined.
Fahim's batting reminds me Mohender Singh's batting. No power at all. Asif is useless.
 
Shafi said:
Looks like this kid is far better hitter than Fahim and Asif combined.
Fahim's batting reminds me Mohender Singh's batting. No power at all. Asif is useless.
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Yes. It is early days for him but he needs to improve more. Sharjeel improved his offside game and became a good player for us. He needs to follow his path. Expand his range of shots and off-side game. He looks a good prospect for future.
 
aukhan said:
Yes. It is early days for him but he needs to improve more. Sharjeel improved his offside game and became a good player for us. He needs to follow his path. Expand his range of shots and off-side game. He looks a good prospect for future.
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He should be play a full season in domestic to improve his batting and striking abilities. Shouldn't drag more than 2 years. Lets see how he plays rest of the matches.
 
Reading all the old posts is laughable. Many who consider themselves the best readers of the game are too embarassed to post here.

All those who wrote this guy off because of his physique or relations should be embarassed of themselves. We do this again and again. We destroyed Shoaib Mohammed, are trying to do the same to Imam and now this guy.

Remember inclusion and diversity. Give the guy the benefit of the doubt if there are people saying that he can play. Sarfraz is an honest guy - if he says this guy can play then it could be the case!

There are very few people who make it to this level that have no potential. There is always something. We need to give the benefit of the doubt.

In my view this guy is better than Asif and Umar Akmal as a hitter and should wear the gloves.
 
If he plays another decent innings than I'll have to give it to saffi for making this outrageous statement at the time.
 
umarf76 said:
Reading all the old posts is laughable. Many who consider themselves the best readers of the game are too embarassed to post here.

All those who wrote this guy off because of his physique or relations should be embarassed of themselves. We do this again and again. We destroyed Shoaib Mohammed, are trying to do the same to Imam and now this guy.

Remember inclusion and diversity. Give the guy the benefit of the doubt if there are people saying that he can play. Sarfraz is an honest guy - if he says this guy can play then it could be the case!

There are very few people who make it to this level that have no potential. There is always something. We need to give the benefit of the doubt.

In my view this guy is better than Asif and Umar Akmal as a hitter and should wear the gloves.
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You have to realize he only started losing wait AFTER last season ended. Every single criticism on this thread is valid sherlock.
 
umarf76 said:
Reading all the old posts is laughable. Many who consider themselves the best readers of the game are too embarassed to post here.

All those who wrote this guy off because of his physique or relations should be embarassed of themselves. We do this again and again. We destroyed Shoaib Mohammed, are trying to do the same to Imam and now this guy.

Remember inclusion and diversity. Give the guy the benefit of the doubt if there are people saying that he can play. Sarfraz is an honest guy - if he says this guy can play then it could be the case!

There are very few people who make it to this level that have no potential. There is always something. We need to give the benefit of the doubt.

In my view this guy is better than Asif and Umar Akmal as a hitter and should wear the gloves.
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I dont think if we should get over excited by just one knock.

The critics were not wrong as a player should be judged on domestic record and not on how he performs in the nets or in one T20 game.

Azam still has a lot to prove. Most of his hits came against an out of form Shadab Khan. Lets see how he bats against the better bowlers in the tournament going forward.
 
gazza619 said:
I dont think if we should get over excited by just one knock.

The critics were not wrong as a player should be judged on domestic record and not on how he performs in the nets or in one T20 game.

Azam still has a lot to prove. Most of his hits came against an out of form Shadab Khan. Lets see how he bats against the better bowlers in the tournament going forward.
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Azam should consider himself extremely lucky to even have gotten this chance. He made it to the Quetta squad back in 2018 when he had not played a single domestic game. In 2019 he was back in the squad on the back of 8 List A appearances where he made 53 runs with an average of 13.25. He played one game and scored 12. I can't think how any player with such numbers, regardless of the level of talent, would have been picked, let alone retained by any of the PSL squads. Yet, Azam came back to play in 2020 without having played a single domestic game after PSL 2019. If that isn't nepotism then don't know what is.

He did look alright yesterday, all legside mows with some good shots straight down but he survived an early chance and was barely tested by IU's below par bowling especially outside off. I would be happy to be proved wrong but it really doesn't look like he will do much against intelligent bowling. However, we can be pretty sure that he will play this entire season on the back of this fifty. Wouldn't be surprised if Moin had a hand in ensuring that QG picked very few middle order bats and then did not go for a like for like replacement for Akmal.

The real find from yesterday was not Azam but Akif. And the most exciting batting prospect of this PSL and perhaps the one who should soon be in national colors is Haider.
 
I'll hold my hands up and say that I was wrong about Azam Khan. However the underlying point remains. This (clearly talented) lad got a chance at a very high level to showcase his abilities, only because his Dad is an ex player. There may be other players who are even better, who didn't even get a chance because young Azam got a short cut.

Thus, what this does is, continue a culture of nepotism rather than encouraging a meritocracy. I'd like to think that Pakistani fans watch the PSL not just because it's fun cricket, but because it throws up alternatives for the Pakistan national team. If the route to the Pakistan team(for anybody) is via a nepotism route rather than based on their abilities and work ethic, than that is a sad situation.

However... Now that he is here and has performed, a few points on his performance:

- He HAS to lose another 10-15 kg easily to approach the best version of himself. He's started the weight loss process and after his innings against ISLU fans will be hyping him to the moon. He needs to not get distracted by that and rest on his laurels and keep working on his diet and exercise, to get to a better physical condition.

- he HAS to be involved in the next domestic season, even at the 2nd XI level. The more reps he gets playing at a high level, the better he'll get.

- Regarding the point on him being predominantly onside-ish in his shots, I think he showed decent placement when driving on the offside against Shadab, but the shots were played with slight hesitation I felt. With better fitness and more 1-1 coaching, he'll gain confidence in his offside play and that will allow him to become more rounded.

- lastly, regarding the point on him being a parchi, the other side of that is the pressure that he will always be under because of his connections. He has to be mentally strong to prove others wrong via his performances and his work ethic. This includes the weight loss and domestic performances
 
Impressions (I'm not Pakistani so don't much care for parchi/ not a parchi etc)

Positives:

1. He has the 'eye'; I don't know what speeds the bowlers were at, but this lad seems to have time to play his shots.
2. One look at him and it's clear he has the confidence - he doesn't have the rabbit in the headlights look of someone who's barely played at this level. Self-belief is so important.

What's iffy still:
1. Next time he's going to (or should) get balls only around the off. I'd like to see especially just short of a length on the off, climbing up, into him or away. Not clear if he has any kind of power game on the offside.
2. A lot of the time he seemed to be hitting cross batted shots - it'll be interesting to see how he copes with genuine pace.

So, there's definitely potential there but at this stage he needs a season or two in the PSL and FC. With what I see from the 5 minute clip above, international is a no-no at this stage IMO. However, this is just the ONE game. Let's see what he does through the season.
 
Lovely guy with a fantastic attitude. I really liked his batting, he really shut all of us up. Best of luck to him and hope he loses more weight. Heard couple of his interviews; seems like a level headed educated kid.

Better than asif ali aka china ka afridi that we kept on giving chances to.
 
It looks like he's well spoken and speaks good English as well. Something which is a rarity in Pakistan cricket. Should be given more chances in domestic.
 
A selection likely based on nepotism, but it's that hunger to prove to people that it wasn't which is what drives players to work harder more than ever.

Look at Imam and now look at Azam. Both feel they have more to prove than anyone else.

If Azam is serious he'll hire a personal trainer & nutritionist now and look to break into the national side within 2 years. There are tons of spaces for batsmen, it depends on how badly he wants it or wants biriyani.
 
Extremely clean hitter, little reminiscent of a young Umar Akmal. And he is already 10x the batsmen Asif Ali has ever been
 
Cryin Out Loud said:
Impressions (I'm not Pakistani so don't much care for parchi/ not a parchi etc)

Positives:

1. He has the 'eye'; I don't know what speeds the bowlers were at, but this lad seems to have time to play his shots.
2. One look at him and it's clear he has the confidence - he doesn't have the rabbit in the headlights look of someone who's barely played at this level. Self-belief is so important.

What's iffy still:
1. Next time he's going to (or should) get balls only around the off. I'd like to see especially just short of a length on the off, climbing up, into him or away. Not clear if he has any kind of power game on the offside.
2. A lot of the time he seemed to be hitting cross batted shots - it'll be interesting to see how he copes with genuine pace.

So, there's definitely potential there but at this stage he needs a season or two in the PSL and FC. With what I see from the 5 minute clip above, international is a no-no at this stage IMO. However, this is just the ONE game. Let's see what he does through the season.
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Thoughts based on today?
 
He has a calm head and the power to go along with it.

He needs to be playing FC cricket and if he can average 43+ after 2 years, then get him into the national side.

Hopefully, he isn't forced to lose his weight because that will effect his power game.
 
I'm not sure weight should be a major concern at this point. He isn't massively overweight like he used to be, seems a lot of girth now is muscle.

If he is able to pass the YoYo / fitness test, weight should not be an issue
 
He shouldn’t get skinnier than what Rohit Sharma is right now otherwise it will affect his power game
 
Azam is slight upgrade than Imam does'nt mean he is deserving. If compare with Imam even tailenders would look better.

Arshad Iqbal gave several lives to him. Azam was almost babysit by Karachi kings thruout his innings.
Azam has similar problems, cant negotiate slow deliveries or bounce. Has more in common with uncle Inzamam when he runs between wickets.
He is still to face seam and swing.
 
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It was heartening to see this young lad show such a high level of improvement in a short period which would most obviously be due to sheer hard work.

Hopefully he continues this development so that we get a dynamic middle order batsman at international level. Something that we have missed for a while.
 
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Barragan said:
He has a calm head and the power to go along with it.

He needs to be playing FC cricket and if he can average 43+ after 2 years, then get him into the national side.

Hopefully, he isn't forced to lose his weight because that will effect his power game.
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Not necessarily, if the weight is lost over time( and replaced with muscle) then he will gain more dexterity and he is already a clean hitter and that shouldn't be lost
 
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