Azam Khan has long been a figure of divided opinion in Pakistan cricket, admired for his power-hitting ability yet criticized relentlessly for his fitness struggles. Few players in recent memory have sparked such contrasting views among fans, and while his talent as a wicket-keeper batter is unquestionable, his lack of physical fitness has consistently overshadowed his progress.
Since making his debut in 2021, conversations about him have revolved less around his skills and more around his weight issues. Now, at 27, Azam has finally opened up about the reasons that have prevented him from addressing this concern earlier.
In a candid conversation with PakPassion, Azam admitted that balancing constant cricket with maintaining fitness has been a real challenge. He explained that for the last four to five years, he has been traveling frequently and playing a lot of cricket, which left him with little time to properly dedicate himself to a structured fitness regime.
He also acknowledged that his eating habits contributed negatively, admitting they were not the best, though he was quick to stress that these are not excuses anymore.
Currently, Azam is in Lahore working at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) on both his game and physical conditioning. He emphasized that losing weight and getting into peak shape is not a short-term process but requires patience, persistence, and consistent hard work.
Despite not being a permanent fixture in the Pakistan national team, he has found regular opportunities in T20 leagues across the globe, which gave him exposure to top-tier cricket. However, this also made it easier for him to ignore his fitness struggles since his performances in franchise cricket often overshadowed those shortcomings.
Azam, who last represented Pakistan during the 2024 T20 World Cup, remains determined to stage a comeback for the national side. He admitted that only by doubling his efforts can he sustain himself at the international level.
According to him, many players have come and gone, unable to cement their place in world cricket, and he is determined not to fall into that category. He believes training harder and maintaining discipline is the only way forward.
With Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson setting clear standards, Azam knows the task ahead is difficult but not impossible. His renewed commitment to fitness reflects a player who understands that the modern era of cricket demands more than just skill. For Azam, the journey is still alive, and if he succeeds in turning his fitness around, he could prove to be a valuable asset for Pakistan’s evolving team setup.
