"I am more inspired by Tim David nowadays. He hits big shots and I know and understand his batting role because I play at the same position. Suryakumar often plays one down which is like top order."
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Pakistan’s Azam Khan has made headlines again with his spectacular 42-ball 97 against Quetta Gladiators in the 13th match of the Pakistan Super League on Friday. Azam Khan, who batted at number five, smashed nine fours and eight sixes to help Islamabad United reach 220/6 in the first innings. The teenage batting sensation’s performance was all the more impressive because he came in to bat when the United were reeling at 71/4 after 9.5 overs. From there, he was engaged in a 98-run fifth-wicket partnership with Asif Ali in only 45 balls, not only stabilising the battered innings but also accelerating the run rate to boost United’s hopes.
Khan was linked to India’s batting great Suryakumar Yadav after his stunning innings. Khan, on the other hand, claimed that Tim David was the one who influenced him the most because they both bat in comparable places in franchise cricket. “The position I bat at, you know the situation is quite difficult. Either the score is about 40 for four or 180 or 160 for two, so then you need to go and finish the match. It is a really difficult role. But I am more inspired by Tim David nowadays. He hits big shots and I know and understand his batting role because I play at the same position. Suryakumar often plays one down which is like top order,” Azam was quoted as saying by paktv.tv.
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Khan went into overdrive in the final three overs, unleashing his beast mode on the Gladiators, scoring 33 runs in only 10 balls. He was unaffected by Ali’s removal in the 18th over and went on to wreak havoc on the Gladiators. Following Ali’s departure, he was joined in the middle by Faheem Ashraf, who well supported Khan, allowing him further opportunities to continue his tenacious innings. Ashraf, too, made the most of the six balls he was given, hitting two boundaries and one six to score 17 runs.
The Gladiators were bowled out for 157 in 19.1 overs in response. For the United, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Hasan Ali both took three wickets. Azam Khan is the United’s highest run-scorer in the current PSL season, having scored 166 runs in four innings at an average of 55.33 and a strike rate of 184.44. After three wins in four games since their last victory, the United have risen to second place in the points standings.
Azam Khan is a Pakistani cricketer who now represents Islamabad United and Sindh.
In July 2021, he made his international debut for the Pakistan cricket team. As a power-hitter, he looks up to West Indies star Chris Gayle as a role model. He is the son of former Pakistani cricketer Moin Khan. Owais Khan, his brother, is married to actress Mariam Ansari. Frequently chastised for his fitness levels, he trained with Shehzar Mohammad for four months before the start of the PSL 2020, reducing 14kg in the process. He enjoys MMA, which he attributes to the way he now handles fast bowling, as he was previously thought to be unable to play true pace.
