Former Pakistan cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq has weighed in on the recent criticism faced by wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan, urging him to bolster his mental fortitude amid the onslaught of scrutiny.
With the 25-year-old player facing backlash over his recent performance and fitness levels, Misbah emphasized the importance of resilience and discipline in overcoming adversity.
In a candid discussion on a local sports channel, Misbah remarked on Azam's apparent deviation from the discipline he once exhibited, citing concerns over his physical condition.
"There was a time when he reduced his weight, did training and delivered performances. Nowadays, I have observed that the discipline he had in the past has been given up and I can see that he has increased his body weight. So, he also needs to think about it," Misbah commented.
Drawing parallels with the experiences of cricketing stalwart Virat Kohli, Misbah highlighted the inevitability of criticism in the realm of professional sports.
"If there are no performances, criticism will come and even a player like Virat Kohli gets criticised. He needs to get mentally stronger and criticism will come but he should just stay focused for the longer run," Misbah advised.
Amidst the scrutiny, Azam Khan restricted comments on his social media posts and subsequently deleting all content from his Instagram handle on June 3, indicating the toll the criticism may have taken on his morale.
Azam's performance in T20I cricket has come under particular scrutiny, with only 88 runs scored in 12 innings at an average of just 9.78. Former cricketer Latif expressed concerns that the trolling could be affecting Azam's game.
