[VIDEOS] "I will leave no stone unturned in making myself worthy of national selection" : Azam Khan

[DeadlyVenom]

I cant believe people are debating over whether he should be playing for pakistan or not

Its quite simple There should be no room for players who are after short cuts, who arent dedicated or willing to put the hard yards in

India is producing high quality bats who are making tough big runs in their domestic cricket year after year

This is the national team not a mohalla team There needs to be certain standards met

If you cant show weight of runs and fitness standards you have no business even being talked about for the national team

Misbah mentioned on a recent show and most of the panel agreed with him that the issue with a player like Azam being in the set up is that other players start taking short cuts with their fitness too.

Azam sadly is unable to meet the minimum standards so won't get selected.

The kid is mega talented though, I just wish someone could help him get over his issues with food.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

In a season where 240 was scored several times, where we mostly saw flat roads and small boundaries, where even a tail ender Shaheen felt confident enough to bat in top 5, where Imad Wasim averaged 135 with a strike rate of 170….

Considering all of the above Azam khan’s efforts were par. Mind you he couldn't do it when it mattered the most.

Jason Roy played on the same pitches, had similar stats to Azam Khan. Is Jason Roy a scammer?

Azam Khan out performed Billings, Miller, Van der Dussen, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Haris, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Munro, Guptill and many more…can you say they’re all scammers too? They batted on the same pitches.

Why is it so hard to give credit where it’s due?

What other excuses will you come up with now?

What did Babar and Rizwan do in the WT20 final? What did Babar and Rizwan do in the Asia Cup final. When it mattered most for Pakistan they went missing. They scammers too now?

 

[YousafTheBeast]

His limitations will come to the fore in international cricket. He struggles with pace balls at his body. His reaction times and bat swing are compromised by his weight. I’d like for him to do well, but he needs to lose weight to become a better batsman, rather than for aesthetics.

The issue isn’t whether he’ll struggle against international level or not, the problem is that he’s had a good PSL and a good BPL when people wrote him off and and now they’re bringing up excuses like the pitch was flat, boundaries were small etc. the same variables all the other batsmen played with, yet still out performed them.

I won’t predict how he’ll do in international level, if he’s performing in leagues, he should be given the opportunity to prove us all wrong.

 

[gazza619]

Jason Roy played on the same pitches, had similar stats to Azam Khan. Is Jason Roy a scammer?

Azam Khan out performed Billings, Miller, Van der Dussen, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Haris, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Munro, Guptill and many more…can you say they’re all scammers too? They batted on the same pitches.

Why is it so hard to give credit where it’s due?

What other excuses will you come up with now?

What did Babar and Rizwan do in the WT20 final? What did Babar and Rizwan do in the Asia Cup final. When it mattered most for Pakistan they went missing. They scammers too now?

Many players in your list are proven domestic performers.

Azam will need to do the hard yards in domestic cricket to earn respect. I don’t like nepotism and people to take short cuts to be honest. Enough said about his fitness and running between wickets.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Many players in your list are proven domestic performers.

Azam will need to do the hard yards in domestic cricket to earn respect. I don’t like nepotism and people to take short cuts to be honest. Enough said about his fitness and running between wickets.

Nah, this isn’t the 90’s, besides he’s played more domestic games than Sami Ayub, Mohammad Haris and Abdullah Shafique. I take it they’ve taken short cuts too?


Chris Gayle wasn’t a good runner between wickets, yet he’s the GOAT of T20’s.

Azam Khan has no intentions of losing weight, he says he’s happy playing in leagues around the world and it’s up to PCB if they want to select him or not. At the end of the day, it’s Pakistan that’s losing out.

 

[the Great Khan]

Nah, this isn’t the 90’s, besides he’s played more domestic games than Sami Ayub, Mohammad Haris and Abdullah Shafique. I take it they’ve taken short cuts too?


Chris Gayle wasn’t a good runner between wickets, yet he’s the GOAT of T20’s.

Azam Khan has no intentions of losing weight, he says he’s happy playing in leagues around the world and it’s up to PCB if they want to select him or not. At the end of the day, it’s Pakistan that’s losing out.

If he isn't going to lose wait he should not be selected. It is a stubborn unprofessional way to manage yourself. At this age he thinks he's invincible. He is setting himself up for a massive fall. And setting a pathetic beghairat example for youngsters..the message is be fat like me but if you can hit it hard babay Najam and his crew will select you..eat biryani burgers and fries...get that belly out..why cares about being a professional??

 

[the Great Khan]

By the way do you work in a professional environment? [MENTION=147214]YousafTheBeast[/MENTION]?

 

[YousafTheBeast]

If he isn't going to lose wait he should not be selected. It is a stubborn unprofessional way to manage yourself. At this age he thinks he's invincible. He is setting himself up for a massive fall. And setting a pathetic beghairat example for youngsters..the message is be fat like me but if you can hit it hard babay Najam and his crew will select you..eat biryani burgers and fries...get that belly out..why cares about being a professional??

How many cricketers do you see like Azam Khan playing cricket?

Playing one fat guy isn’t going to encourage every youngster to play cricket with a body like Azam’s.

I’m no expert but I think it’s impossible for him to look like an athlete. We’re not going to see him go from xxxxl trousers to m trousers. He’s 24, in 2-3 years he’ll be at his peak. For him to look like an athlete it would probably take him past the age of 27.

Even Babar has added weight. There’s no way every player in our team doesn’t eat biryani, burgers and fries, they just have a faster metabolism than Azam.

Apart from Malik, I’m sure not one player has a clean diet.

End of the day, even if Azam doesn’t get picked for Pakistan, he’ll still be playing all over the world and making more money than he would playing for Pakistan. It’s Pakistan’s loss because right now our middle has been Ifthikar, Khushdil, Asif Ali. None of them are better than Azam.

 

[Energy]

The one advantage Azam gives is he can play in the middle lower order. Unlike Saim and Haris.

Pakistan can't rely on chacha or Shadab and Shaheen. They would need a hitter. So the PCB need to get firm on Azam and get him in some shape whilst playing him consistently in the T20I team to prepare for the next World Cup.

 

[pakistani pride]

What are his stats this PSL?
I mean how many runs per inning?

 

[Saj]

What are his stats this PSL?
I mean how many runs per inning?

Innings 9
Runs 282
Average 40.28
Strike rate 161.14
Fifties 2

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Innings 9
Runs 282
Average 40.28
Strike rate 161.14
Fifties 2

A very good option for the troubled No.5 slot in the T20 line up.

But.

He needs to get fitter, not just for aesthetics but do that he can improve his reactions, bat speed and body shots.

Hope he kills it Vs Afghanistan.

 

[Zaz]

An example needed to be set Its a professional set up where standards need to be met

If you cant meet them and you aint even bothering to try than you have no business being selected

Its the national team and if azam doesnt want to lose weight then its upto him but he shouldnt be selected

 

[pakistani pride]

Innings 9
Runs 282
Average 40.28
Strike rate 161.14
Fifties 2

He had one innings with almost 100 runs. In between he also had a few low scores. He is being hyped way too much, wont stand a chance against proper pace in INT cricket.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Yep, we saw it today as to how many stones you have unturned.

As per Shoaib Akhtar - captaincy material.

 

[gazza619]

I am not a fan of Azam but the online abuse the lad is facing is very ugly and concerning if I am totally honest.

The only way Azam can change this is by actually doing something about his fitness.

 

[MenInG]

I am not a fan of Azam but the online abuse the lad is facing is very ugly and concerning if I am totally honest.

The only way Azam can change this is by actually doing something about his fitness.

No excuse for online abuse.

Whatever he is as a player etc, are all matters related to his profession.

 

[zarak]

He had one innings with almost 100 runs. In between he also had a few low scores. He is being hyped way too much, wont stand a chance against proper pace in INT cricket.

He plays at #5 so his aggregate runs will be lower.

 

[Saj]

I am not a fan of Azam but the online abuse the lad is facing is very ugly and concerning if I am totally honest.

The only way Azam can change this is by actually doing something about his fitness.

Sadly that will always happen. It's not needed but Azam needs to do something about it.

A few T20 league contracts came his way recently but they won't always last especially if he doesn't sort his fitness levels out.

Now is the age to lose weight, as he gets older, it will become more and more difficult to get rid of that excess weight.

 

[zarak]

Sadly that will always happen. It's not needed but Azam needs to do something about it.

A few T20 league contracts came his way recently but they won't always last especially if he doesn't sort his fitness levels out.

Now is the age to lose weight, as he gets older, it will become more and more difficult to get rid of that excess weight.

Seems like he can make a full-time career out of league cricket. For some reason his keeping has not been exposed in leagues and there will always be one or two mediocre bowlers in every team to feast on.

 

[MenInG]

Azam Khan speaking in an interview

"I cannot shut everyones mouth, if there is destructive criticism, keep it aside. Because those who write such things are often far inferior and have not progressed much in life," he said.

"Those who label me as a pindi-pitched based batsman should also observe my recent performances. While I respect their opinion, I do not play cricket to prove them wrong. Rather, I play cricket for my own satisfaction, and as long as that satisfaction remains within me, I will continue to play"

 

[gazza619]

Azam Khan speaking in an interview

"I cannot shut everyones mouth, if there is destructive criticism, keep it aside. Because those who write such things are often far inferior and have not progressed much in life," he said.

"Those who label me as a pindi-pitched based batsman should also observe my recent performances. While I respect their opinion, I do not play cricket to prove them wrong. Rather, I play cricket for my own satisfaction, and as long as that satisfaction remains within me, I will continue to play"

And this is the very reason Azam’s future as an international cricketer does not seem bright.

Whilst I agree that he is facing a lot of bullying and fat shaming, there is still some truth in him not being good enough at the moment. You cant hide him behind the stumps, you cant hide him in the field either.

If he does not see a problem, he will never work towards a solution.

 

[iPakistani]

Azam Khan speaking in an interview

"I cannot shut everyones mouth, if there is destructive criticism, keep it aside. Because those who write such things are often far inferior and have not progressed much in life," he said.

"Those who label me as a pindi-pitched based batsman should also observe my recent performances. While I respect their opinion, I do not play cricket to prove them wrong. Rather, I play cricket for my own satisfaction, and as long as that satisfaction remains within me, I will continue to play"

Entitled piece of rubbish. Ofcourse the guy who is the son of an international cricketer and is living like an elite in Pakistan will have the higher chance of a brighter future than normal people. He was extremely obese with zero domestic performances to his name when his dad picked him for Quetta, how can he even have the audacity to look down on other people and call them inferior.

And talking about progressing in life does he know the health risks associated with obesity? So maybe yes he is progressing more in life, but towards heart disease more than anything.

 

[Saj]

Azam Khan speaking in an interview

"I cannot shut everyones mouth, if there is destructive criticism, keep it aside. Because those who write such things are often far inferior and have not progressed much in life," he said.

"Those who label me as a pindi-pitched based batsman should also observe my recent performances. While I respect their opinion, I do not play cricket to prove them wrong. Rather, I play cricket for my own satisfaction, and as long as that satisfaction remains within me, I will continue to play"

Getting a bit arrogant isn't he.

Things can go horribly wrong very quickly with such an attitude.

 

[the Great Khan]

Getting a bit arrogant isn't he.

Things can go horribly wrong very quickly with such an attitude.

Yup..just takes one injury or other events. I would worry about his knees and other aspects. Once you get into rehab mode it can take a toll. I mean imagine if he does get injured how much more weight will he put on?

 

[shujaatraza]

What a stinking privileged attitude this guy is showing. All the best to his freelance t20 career but he should not be selected for Pakistan side unless there is visible difference in his physique and attitude.

 

[gazza619]

Well actually if Haris unfit Sohail can be picked again then Azam Khan also deserved more chances.

 

[MenInG]

Maybe with good performances vs Afg this sort of attitude would have been beneficial but Pak selectors not impressed. Dropped for series against NZ

 

[Saj]

Well, that experiment didn't last long did it.

Dropped and I wonder if we'll see him again in Pakistani colours.

 

[Zaz]

Well, that experiment didn't last long did it.

Dropped and I wonder if we'll see him again in Pakistani colours.

Come on Saj Youve been with pakistan cricket for long enough to know how it works He ll be back at some point based on a good psl in future overweight or not

We're very likely to see a rinse and repeat of this many times over the years

 

[pakistani pride]

Well good he is not selected.
What a disaster he is. You should never ever select a player with such fitness levels for the national team.

 

[ahmadharis1]

Well, that experiment didn't last long did it.

Dropped and I wonder if we'll see him again in Pakistani colours.

He's gonna score a 30 off 16 next PSL and he'll be back in just like hat

 

[iPakistani]

Well actually if Haris unfit Sohail can be picked again then Azam Khan also deserved more chances.

Haris Sohail is ten times the player Azam Khan is in ODIs.

 

[MenInG]

Haroon Rasheed on Azam Khan:

“Azam Khan did not perform well in the series against Afghanistan, but mistakes happen. However, the door is open for his return if he works on his issues and improves. Many cricketers in the world have been dropped and made a comeback and played cricket for a long time"

“Currently, we have Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Haris as wicket-keeper batters, and Azam Khan is in the pipeline. Young cricketers like Amir Jamal can also make it to the national team by showing good performance"

 

[shamaan]

Well actually if Haris unfit Sohail can be picked again then Azam Khan also deserved more chances.

Both have different roles and pluss Haris can bowl a couple of overs if required.

 

[Saj]

What interests me is how Azam Khan will take being dropped after just 1 series.

Will he realise that he has to work on his fitness and lose weight and become a better athlete which could result in better performances.

Or will he be quite happy to maintain his lack of fitness and play in T20 leagues around the world if picked.

 

[gazza619]

What interests me is how Azam Khan will take being dropped after just 1 series.

Will he realise that he has to work on his fitness and lose weight and become a better athlete which could result in better performances.

Or will he be quite happy to maintain his lack of fitness and play in T20 leagues around the world if picked.

I would the latter is more likely.

Cant see him giving up on fried chicken, burgers & pizzas.

 

[zarak]

Well actually if Haris unfit Sohail can be picked again then Azam Khan also deserved more chances.

You can hide Haris at short fine leg. Azam has to keep that's the only difference. Also Haris has an average of 45+ in odis and skill wise probably on par with babar if not actually better

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Azhar Mahmood tells me "As a coach I would like to see a more fitter and more agile Azam Khan" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/UCFh5rSwOv">pic.twitter.com/UCFh5rSwOv</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1644280480643141634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

What interests me is how Azam Khan will take being dropped after just 1 series.

Will he realise that he has to work on his fitness and lose weight and become a better athlete which could result in better performances.

Or will he be quite happy to maintain his lack of fitness and play in T20 leagues around the world if picked.

He seems to be working on his fitness again as per social media. Hopefully inshAllah he makes the right gains to maximise his ability.

 

[MenInG]

As per news reports:

The likes of Azam Khan and Imad Wasim (non-contracted) have already found suitors in principle, the form of Seattle Orcas, co-owned by the GMR Group, who hold a significant stake in the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise - Delhi Capitals (DC).

==

Will the PCB allow this?