Srinagar: Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has backed Islamabad United’s decision to promote Azam Khan as opener in the ongoing PSL 2025. and also suggested Azam to prioritize fitness.
“We all enjoy burgers – I do too – but as professional athletes, we must exercise restraint. Dietary discipline is non-negotiable at this level,” Younis Khan said.
“If Azam wants to prolong his career and perform at the highest level, he must prioritize fitness. There’s no shortcut,” Khan added.
Khan described the move as ‘innovative’, asserting it could help unlock the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter’s full potential.
“Sending Azam up the order is a fresh, unconventional approach. It gives him more time at the crease and a chance to face the fielding restrictions, which could suit his power-hitting ability. It’s a clever way to challenge him and encourage growth,” Younis said.
“It’s been a pattern. Whether in the PSL or overseas leagues, fast bowlers immediately test him with short-pitched bowling,” said Younis.
“They’ve done their homework. They know this is an area where he fails and they are exploiting it effectively and that’s alarming, he has to fix this urgently” the 2009 T20 World Cup-winning captain observed.
“Azam needs to turn his weaknesses — especially against short balls into strengths. If he doesn’t, bowlers will keep targeting him and exposing those same flaws again and again.”