- Don’t let Azam Khan’s weight overshadow his cricketing abilities - March 1, 2023
Born on August 10th, 1998, Azam Khan is the second son of former Pakistani wicketkeeper-batter Moin Khan. With talent embedded in his genes, Azam started playing cricket from a young age and was a prolific striker of the cricket ball, learning from his uncle Nadeem Khan and his father. However, Azam Khan’s weight became a hurdle in his cricketing career.
Azam Khan’s weight letting him face hatred with grit and determination
Despite facing criticism and being called names such as ‘parchi’, ‘aalo’(potato), ladoo (a round sweet), and haathi(elephant), Azam didn’t give up on his dream of playing for Pakistan. He debuted in the premier franchise cricket league of Pakistan (PSL) for Quetta Gladiators, where his weight prevented him from keeping wickets.
Trade from Quetta Gladiators to Islamabad United
Azam played for various teams, including Galle Gladiators, Barbados Royals, Islamabad United, and Khulna Tigers. His six-hitting ability and Islamabad United’s aggressive mindset made him a sure shot for success.
Also read: Time for Quetta Gladiators Resurgence After Some Tough Seasons?
The brief stint of international career
Azam received his maiden call-up for the Pakistan Cricket Team (PCT) squad in 2021 and received his Pakistan cap on 16th July 2021 against England. However, his international career was short-lived as he only played three matches and seven deliveries before being dropped from the national team.
The weight factor and performance
Azam Khan’s weight has always been a hurdle for him in getting into the national team. Although he had shed 30kg before making his T20I debut for Pakistan, he gained weight again later. Despite this, in the 104 T20s he’s played, Azam has scored 2128 runs at an average of 24.74, having a strike rate of 143.29.
What’s next for Azam Khan?
While the chances of getting into the national team are slim, Azam needs to show the same courage and determination. In some red-hot form, Azam scored an unbeaten century in the BPL and gave a man-of-the-match performance against Quetta Gladiators a few days back. With Pakistan set to play New Zealand in April for the LOI series, Azam’s future in the squad remains uncertain.
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