'Body shaming is intolerable': Ahmad Shahzad defends Azam Khan

Former Pakistan opener Ahmad Shahzad has addressed the criticism directed at wicket-keeper Azam Khan regarding his performance and physical fitness. Shahzad emphasized that while it is fair to critique a player’s performance, body shaming should be avoided. This comes in the wake of sustained criticism faced by Azam Khan, son of legendary wicketkeeper-batter Moin Khan, due to his recent performances and fitness levels.

Azam Khan has been under fire following his poor showings in the T20 series against England and Ireland, as well as a dismal performance in Pakistan's World Cup match against the United States. In Pakistan's first two World Cup losses, Shahzad asserted that the entire team should be held accountable rather than singling out any individual player.

Following two consecutive appearances, Azam was dropped from the playing XI for matches against India and Canada after a particularly disappointing outing in the opening match against the United States, where he was dismissed for a duck.

Batsman Imam Ul Haq also came to Azam’s defense, highlighting the negative impact that social media trolling can have on a player's performance. Imam pointed out that incessant online criticism can hinder a cricketer’s ability to perform well.

Since his international debut in July 2018, Azam Khan has struggled to find his footing in T20 internationals, managing only 88 runs across 14 innings. His on-field struggles and issues with physical fitness have made him a target for harsh criticism at just 25 years old.

Both Ahmad Shahzad and Imam Ul Haq’s statements underline the importance of constructive criticism over personal attacks, stressing that public figures and athletes should not be subjected to body shaming or undue personal criticism, which can detrimentally affect their professional performance and mental well-being.