110 kg Pakistani Azam Khan is being trolled, 4 'heavy' cricketers have shown their strength in T20 World Cup

Although Azam has played explosive innings in various T20 leagues including the Pakistan Super League (PSL), his bat has remained silent in the 13 T20 internationals played so far. In such a situation, critics are raising questions about his place in the T20 World Cup team. Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has even said that on the scale of fitness, I will not let Azam even come close to the team. Afridi said that Azam's hitting is tremendous, but the ball will stay low on the slow pitch of West Indies. In such a situation, as a wicketkeeper, he may have to struggle to collect the ball by bending.

'…who selected him in the Pakistan team..'

Not just Afridi, Azam has also become a subject of joke for Pakistani fans due to poor fitness and bulky body. People say that Azam is unable to keep his body in shape while wicketkeeping and he is the weak link. Azam was unable to score runs in the recent T20 series against England. He also dropped some catches while wicketkeeping. In such a situation, critics criticized this Pakistani player as well as the selector who selected him. Many memes have also been made on Azam. One user even wrote, 'He (Azam) cannot even walk fast, so who has selected him in the Pakistan team?' He has also been given funny names like Aloo, Laddu, Hathi and Big Boy for his loose body.

Even though fans are questioning Azam's inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad due to his bulky physique, some veteran cricketers have already been a part of the big tournament.

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Let's take a look at the legendary cricketers who took part in the T20 World Cup

Mohammad Shahzad, Afghanistan

Afghanistan's Mohammad Shahzad and Azam have some similarities. Both weigh more than 100 kg and play as wicketkeepers. 37-year-old Shahzad has also been famous for explosive batting. 5 feet 3 inches tall Shahzad has scored 69 runs in two Tests, 2727 in 84 ODIs and 2048 runs in 73 T20s. He has also scored six centuries in ODIs and one in T20s. Shahzad has been part of the Afghan team in 5 T20 World Cups (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2021) and has scored 402 runs (two half-centuries) in 19 matches at an average of 21.25. In this tournament, he also has 8 catches and five stumpings to his name as a wicketkeeper.

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Jesse Ryder, New Zealand

Jesse Ryder has been in the news not only for his obesity but also for his performance. Apart from being a great left-handed batsman, he was also a medium pace bowler. As an opener for the Kiwi team, Jesse played 18 Tests, 48 ​​ODIs and 22 T20 matches. He scored 1269 runs with the help of three centuries in Test cricket, 1362 runs with the help of three centuries in ODIs and 457 runs with the help of three half-centuries in T20s. He was adept at playing all kinds of shots. Unfortunately, Jesse's international career lasted only from 2008 to 2024. Apart from his heavy body, his name also made headlines due to his spoiled nature and 'alcohol addiction'. He was part of the New Zealand team in the 2009 and 2010 T20 World Cups. In the 2009 T20 World Cup held in England he played one match against Scotland and scored 31 runs, while in the 2010 tournament he scored 93 runs (highest 42) in five matches. Ryder once weighed more than 100 kg, after losing 10 kg he made his ODI debut.

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Samit Patel (England)

Samit Patel of Indian origin played six Tests, 36 ODIs and 18 T20 matches for England. This heavy-bodied cricketer was useful as a leg spinner along with hitting the ball strongly. Unfortunately, he did not get much success in international cricket. Patel has 151 runs and 7 wickets in Tests, 482 runs and 24 wickets in ODIs and 189 runs and 7 wickets in T20s. Samit's name came into the limelight when he was not included in the England team for the 2011 World Cup due to excess weight and poor fitness. However, later he got a place in the England team for the 2012 T20 World Cup. Apart from scoring 67 runs in 3 matches, he also took two wickets.

Interestingly, Samit's highest score during this period was 67 runs, which he made in the match against Sri Lanka. Samit remained unbeaten without scoring any runs in the match against Afghanistan, while he did not get a chance to bat in the match against West Indies. Samit, who played cricket for England at Under 15, Under 17 and Under 19 level, once alleged that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) did not handle his overweight issue properly. According to reports, Samit's weight was around 100 kg during the 2011 World Cup (ODI).

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Andrew Flintoff (England)

England's Andrew Flintoff, who has tremendous cricket skills, has also attracted media attention due to his spoiled nature, drinking habit and obesity. Flintoff, who has a tall stature and heavy body, is considered one of the top all-rounders in the world. This cricketer, who has the ability to change the course of any match with his batting and bowling, has played 79 Tests, 141 ODIs and 7 T20 matches for England. He has 3845 runs and 226 wickets in Test cricket, 3394 runs and 169 wickets in ODIs and 76 runs and 5 wickets in T20s. Flintoff, popularly known as 'Freddie', was obese due to a type of eating disorder, which is related to mental health. In an interview, Flintoff had said, 'I was suffering from the eating disorder bulimia. After being trolled by the media about my fitness and obesity, I felt that everyone's eyes were on me.' In the last phase of his cricket career, Flintoff was part of the England team for the 2007 T20 World Cup. He scored 70 runs and took 5 wickets in 5 matches of the tournament. Yuvraj Singh's anger was directed at Stuart Broad after an altercation with Flintoff in the much talked about India-England match of the T20 World Cup 2007. Yuvi created history by hitting six sixes in Broad's over.

tag: Aajam Khan, ICC T20 World Cup, pakistan cricket team, T20 World Cup