Shahid Afridi, the former captain of Pakistan, has expressed reservations regarding the fitness level of wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan as the national team gears up for the forthcoming T20 World Cup in England.
Afridi pointed out the disparity in playing conditions between the West Indies and England, emphasizing that English pitches typically offer less bounce and the ball stays low, posing a significant challenge for a young wicketkeeper like Khan.
"Fitness is paramount. Your physical readiness reflects in your performance on the field, whether you're batting, bowling, or fielding. There can be no compromises on fitness," Afridi remarked.
Azam Khan's performance in T20 internationals has been under scrutiny, with only 88 runs scored from 11 innings at an average of 11 and a strike rate of 146.
However, despite his struggles at the international level, the 25-year-old showcased promise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he scored 226 runs for Islamabad United at an impressive strike rate of 171.21, contributing to their championship victory this year.
Highlighting the significance of fitness in international cricket, especially for a wicketkeeper who needs to maintain agility in various conditions, Afridi suggested that Khan's inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad might impact his batting performance as well, given his subpar skills behind the stumps.
Pakistan is set to face USA, India, Ireland, and Canada in Group A of the T20 World Cup, commencing their campaign on June 6 against co-hosts USA in Dallas, followed by a highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals India on June 9.
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