Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi lashed out at wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan over his fitness. Afridi raised red flags over the keeper’s ability to keep wickets while facing spinners in the T20 World Cup at the Caribbean islands as the ball would stay low. He further claimed that fitness was the main attribute for a player and that he would never let Azam Khan near the Pakistan team.
Shahid Afridi’s scathing attack on Azam Khan
“Fitness is the main thing. If you are fit, your body language gives it away on the ground, be it while batting, bowling, or fielding. You can’t compromise on fitness. I would never let Azam Khan get anywhere near the team as far as fitness is concerned,” Afridi said.
“In England, the ball carries behind the stumps (while keeping). But when they’ll go to the West Indies, the ball won’t carry as much there, it will keep low. I hope he doesn’t struggle, but I am worried about his keeping against spinners in West Indian conditions with this fitness, because the ball stays low there and you have to keep your body low as well,” he added.
More on T20 WC
PAK T20 World Cup schedule for group stage
Pakistan vs USA on June 6 (Dallas)
India vs Pakistan on June 9 (New York)
Pakistan vs Canada on June 11 (New York)
Pakistan vs Ireland on June 16 (Lauderhill)