Pakistan has been a mockery-show for world cricket for quite some time now. Having lost two out of their first three encounters in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, they are about to repeat their result from the recent ODI World Cup 2023.
Wicketkeeper batter Azam Khan has been one of the major talking points of this tournament primarily due to his fitness issues and his selection in the squad has been questioned on multiple occasions.
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The 25-year-old was selected in Pakistan's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. Moreover, he was also picked in the first-choice Playing XI ahead of the likes of Saim Ayub and Imad Wasim in the first two matches.
If all had not gone bad for Azam, he was dismissed for a golden duck in Pakistan's inaugural World Cup game against USA. To add to his miseries, he was even sacked off his role as the wicket-keeper, in the run chase against the United States.
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Mohammad Hafeez slams 'unprofessional' Azam Khan
Recently former Pakistan captain and batter Mohammad Hafeez slammed the 25-year-old for not following a proper fitness regime which was provided by the team management to all the players.
Hafeez called out the wicketkeeper for being unprofessional and claimed that the player is not mentally ready to compete at the international level.
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Speaking to reporters, Hafeez said,
I went to Azam Khan and asked him why his weight and fitness levels were the same despite being given a fitness plan. He had no answer for me. To me, that is unprofessional. We gave him a chance, but I feel he is not mentally ready for international cricket.
When Azam Khan joins a training programme, he's the same weight 6 weeks later that he started with. His fat levels are the same. The rest of the team runs 2km in 10 minutes, it takes him 20 minutes.