Being the son of a famous cricketer and growing up around the sport does not guarantee a smooth path into a playing career, as Azam Khan would tell you.
Azam’s career was especially tough early on because of frequent social media slurs stemming from the fact he is the son of Moin Khan, a prominent member of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning side, and then captain, coach and chief selector.
At 26, Azam is carving out a name for himself as a successful wicketkeeper-batsman and will be a danger man for Desert Vipers in the upcoming ILT20 season. Back in February, he struck an 18-ball half century for Vipers, the fastest fifty in ILT20 history.
For Azam, it's high time he enjoys his cricket after those difficult early years.
“I have overcome that. I don’t care about what others say but just get on with my cricket, which I love and pursue full time,” Azam told The National at the Desert Vipers’ kit launch in Dubai on Wednesday.
“The criticism and the slandering directed at me was very depressing, and it remained as a stigma for a long time, just because my father was a celebrity cricketer.”
Azam made his international debut for Pakistan in a T20I against England in the summer of 2021 but then missed out on that year's T20 World Cup having initially been named in the squad.
His Pakistan career resumed earlier this year as he was picked for the series against Ireland where he did enough to nail down a spot for the World Cup in the United States and West Indies.
Azam's strong frame has seen him emerge as a spectacular power hitter and in-demand franchise cricketer, but has also led to criticism and online jibes about his fitness.
“I don’t care about it anymore,” said Azam. “I have overcome that and honestly, I just want to enjoy my cricket as I think I’m privileged enough to choose a profession that I love and get paid for it. This is the only thing that I know I could do. So, I am doing that and I am really happy.
“People can talk about that I’m overweight and fitness issues and all that. I think fitness is very important. It's not just because you want to play international cricket. It's because you want to prolong your career.
“Maybe I can get success at this weight as well. For me, T20 cricket is all about skill level. There is fitness but I would take players on my team who would change the game for me and for my team.”
Azam made an argument for his skill set over his fitness, stressing the need to score sixes and fours in the shorter formats to win matches.
“I'm not saying that fitness is not important. Fitness is important, but you have to keep a balance between both – the ability to score boundaries. You just can't be, like, fitness all the time. You have to work on your skills as well. So, if you keep things balanced, then you achieve your goals.
“To be very honest, I think I’m more than privileged to have a celebrity father, but I must also admit it was very tough for me to be mentally strong in every situation and every game.”
Azam will play in next month’s Champions Cup in Pakistan and join Desert Vipers for the ILT20 in January.
“The ILT20 is one of my favourite tournaments. I was there with the Desert Vipers in the first year as well, but somehow I couldn't play the tournament,” he said.
Azam picked out youngsters Tanish Suri, Dhruv Pareshar and Ali Naseer as young UAE players with a lot of potential.
“I have seen three guys that we had in our team. I have seen them play. The ILT20 would certainly benefit them a lot because of the international experience they would gain,” he said when asked of the UAE cricketers who can make it big in franchise cricket.
“They are playing international cricket right now, but playing with the Test playing nations and players from the Test playing nations will give them the experience moving forward.”
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMax%20Inferno%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PC%2C%20Mac%2C%20Nintendo%20Switch%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Pakistan 106-8 (20 ovs)
Iftikhar 45, Richardson 3-18
Australia 109-0 (11.5 ovs)
Warner 48 no, Finch 52 no
Australia win series 2-0
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
ELECTION%20RESULTS
%3Cp%3EMacron%E2%80%99s%20Ensemble%20group%20won%20245%20seats.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20second-largest%20group%20in%20parliament%20is%20Nupes%2C%20a%20leftist%20coalition%20led%20by%20Jean-Luc%20Melenchon%2C%20which%20gets%20131%20lawmakers.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20far-right%20National%20Rally%20fared%20much%20better%20than%20expected%20with%2089%20seats.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20centre-right%20Republicans%20and%20their%20allies%20took%2061.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
