Shahid Afridi talks up Sharjeel, Azam amid fitness concerns

Pakistan’s legendary former all-rounder Shahid Afridi, while talking to media personnel at an event on Tuesday, talked up the talent possessed by the hard-hitting duo of batsmen Sharjeel Khan and Azam Khan while urging them to work on their fitness.

The 44-year-old believed that the two explosive batsmen could potentially serve Pakistan for a long time if they could work on their fitness levels.

“I have supported Sharjeel Khan from the start. Sharjeel Khan is a match-winner. His batting has always helped Pakistan. Azam Khan is also a hard-hitter however the fitness standards should be the same for all players. I think these guys can represent Pakistan for a long time if they can focus on their fitness levels,” Afridi said.

The former all-rounder stated that getting into the team should be a tough task while recommending that players should not be added based on just a handful of performances.

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“Getting into the Pakistan side should be a tough task. Players are now included on the basis of just one or two matches. Selection should have standards. You don’t see many of the players the PCB had previously invested on. Wasim Khan tries to make decisions based on merit,” he said.

Afraid also talked about the importance of cricket between Pakistan and India while highlighting cricket as a force that could improve the relationship between the two countries.

“Cricket between Pakistan and India is very important. Sports should be kept away from politics. Relations between the two countries can improve because of cricket. I have said this before as well, Indian cricketers enjoy coming to Pakistan. You can improve relationships through sports but if you don’t want to improve them then they will remain the same way,” he concluded.