Azam Khan loses 30 kgs in the last year; earns maiden Pakistan call-up

The Pakistan Cricket Board named the Test, ODI and T20I squads of the men's national team on Friday (4th June) for the team’s next assignments against England and West Indies. Pakistan is set to face England for three ODIs and as many T20Is from July 8-20, before they take on West Indies for five T20Is and two Tests, away from home.

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Quetta Gladiators’ hard-hitting batter Azam Khan has earned his maiden call-up in the shortest format for the team after impressing at the Pakistan Super League. Son of former Pakistan player Moin Khan, Azam has played 36 T20Is in a short career thus far, scoring 743 runs at a whopping 157.41 strike rate.  

Often criticized for his fitness, the 22-year-old worked extremely hard to get back in shape as he lost a massive 30 kilograms and looks much fitter and leaner. Currently, the right-handed batsman is with his team in Abu Dhabi, where the 6th edition of the PSL is set to resume from 9th June onwards.

Before the league suspension, he had scored 98 runs in five matches batting down the order at a brilliant strike rate of close to 144. Having been selected for the national team, Khan would be raring to justify his selection with more force as the league resumes in the UAE. Meanwhile, he thanked his skipper at Quetta, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and the franchise owner, Nadeem Omar, for their constant support.  

"Nadeem Omar, our owner of Quetta Gladiators, supported me a lot and gave me a chance in PSL to show my potential. Sarfaraz bhai also gave me a golden opportunity to perform at those batting numbers, where I could perform in PSL,” Azam said in a video released by the franchise.