[VIDEOS]"I wasn’t aware of new fitness standards when I came back after three years" : Sharjeel Khan

[MenInG]

Karachi: Hard-hitting batsman Shajeel Khan said he always wanted to play under the captaincy of former Test cricketer, Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Speaking to ARY News, Khan said he idolized Inzamam who was one of the greatest batsmen of Pakistan ever. “I wish I could have played under the captaincy of Inzamam. He was not only a good batsman but a great mentor too,” said the cricketer.

Talking about his fitness, Khan said he was not aware of fitness standards after making comeback in competitive cricket. “I wasn’t aware of new fitness standards when I came back after three years. But, now I am working hard on my fitness and I will soon be fulfilling the required fitness standard,” said Khan who scored a First-Class Century after almost 7 years while representing Sindh against Southern Punjab in the Fourth Round of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

Khan was excited while sharing his feelings after lifting the PSL 5 trophy with his team Karachi Kings. The cricket also said the only cricket league of Pakistan has become a brand now worldwide.

“I was all with it and lifting the PSL 5 trophy was a big moment for all of us. We missed Dean Jones as he played a huge role in this victory,” he said.

“As far as PSL is concerned, it has now become a brand worldwide. The competitiveness and talent here make it one of the best leagues in the world,” he concluded.

https://arysports.tv/wished-play-inz...sharjeel-khan/

[Hasan123]

The worst thing is he came back and he was out of shape. The guy was out of the game and still had no desire to get in shape.

[kingusama92]

Intikhab Alam was right about Pakistani cricketers.

[aloo paratha]

Oh yeah it was established in the 2 years Sharjeel was banned that being fat is not the desired fitness level for an international athlete. Cut him some slack guys.

[HappyWarsFan]

What a dummy!

[BigShak]

just doesn’t want to give up the biryanis and parathay.

[Mamoon]

[Rana]

Who exactly has professional athlete standards in the Pakistan side besides Shan Masood and a couple of the fast bowlers maybe?

[Saj]

A worrying comment.

Surely you'd want to come back to cricket super-fit after a ban.

[Markhor]

Sharjeel's idea of a balanced diet is a paratha in each hand so it's not surprising these "new fitness standards" are a revelation to him.

[Zaz]

Oh yeah it was established in the 2 years Sharjeel was banned that being fat is not the desired fitness level for an international athlete. Cut him some slack guys.

Lool he obviously has no real desire to get truly fit
Its not his fault Its the pcb who insist on fit players so lets blame

[Bewal Express]

What an idiot.

[Slog]

Most pakstani cricketers until a few years ago (including Shahid Afridi) genuinely think that as long as you are putting effort and hard yards in training then you are fine to eat whatever you want

[angrypathan]

Most pakstani cricketers until a few years ago (including Shahid Afridi) genuinely think that as long as you are putting effort and hard yards in training then you are fine to eat whatever you want

Most Pakistani cricketers even with that dehati mentality aren't anywhere near as fat as Sharjeel

[TeamPak95]

Sharjeel still using Internet Explorer that he's just finding out about these fitness standards??

[shamaan]

Who exactly has professional athlete standards in the Pakistan side besides Shan Masood and a couple of the fast bowlers maybe?

Fakhar babar shan hassan ali before injury malik just to name a few

[Zaz]

You shouldnt need to be told that being overweight isnt acceptable as a professional cricketer wanting to play for the national team

[Caved12]

Please please please ban him for life just for this comment alone and never allow him to come back to any cricket. Seriously! Enough is enough

[Rana]

Fakhar babar shan hassan ali before injury malik just to name a few

Pakistan apparently has these supreme fitness standards, and then we are fed Faheem Ashrafs with their zero cricketing athleticism, Abid Ali’s with their pot bellies and Moobs, and Mohammad Irfan’s who are barely still managing to walk.

Seems like PCB can choose whoever they think is fit enough and who isn’t.

[hitthestump]

Pretty insulting to plead ignorance like this lol. The guy can't be bothered. Ironically he lacks the hunger to change his fitness levels.

Get slim or stay in domestics. While it may be excusable to be slightly off fitness standards if you're performing, to come back after a fixing ban and still look like a tellytubby is unforgiveable.

If Pakistan were to let Sharjeel make a comeback while in this physical shape it'd be a very significant backwards step.

[Caved12]

These days the only thing I like about Misbah is his zero tolerance policy against those who are not fit to play cricket.

[Gullycricket]

Mickey hated such cricketers who used to take things for granted and felt entitled. Sharjeel is one of them. Even today he looks obese and out of shape.

[Slog]

Mickey hated such cricketers who used to take things for granted and felt entitled. Sharjeel is one of them. Even today he looks obese and out of shape.

Mickey made Sharjeel an integral part of the limited overs team and also gave him his test debut. And Sharjeel has similar physique then.

[JattMaula]

Dog ate my diet plan.

[Slim]

I havent read the whole OP and just the headline so i am just posting my reaction here:

HAHAHAHA what an absolute clown this guy is! These guys think we are all fools or something? Absolute plonkers!

[Slim]

Best response

[Slim]

Most pakstani cricketers until a few years ago (including Shahid Afridi) genuinely think that as long as you are putting effort and hard yards in training then you are fine to eat whatever you want

Shahid Afridi has amazing genetics - the guy was never unfit his whole life. He could actually eat anything and still stay fit.

[Usman]

So what he is saying is that I wish I played under Inzi's captaincy because he too was a fatty and would have accepted me without the need for me to work on my fitness! This is so comical

As for not knowing that the national team requires fitness standards to be met well, what the heck was he doing for 3 years? Sounds like he didn't bother taking any positive steps to return, which shows a worrying lack of commitment.

Even if he didn't try to find out what he needed to do to make a comeback, getting fit is as obvious as it gets when it comes to being a sportsman. It's like saying oh sorry, I didn't realise that to be a doctor, I needed to know a bit about medicine!

[SensiblePakFan]

What is that supposed to mean lmao

[Mamoon]

Mediocre batsman, dodgy character, terrible fitness, poor attitude, 31 year old etc.

There is nothing likable about him and I cannot believe he has fans because he hit 3 impact-less half centuries in Australia.

This guy has failed for about 90% of his international career that started in 2013.

Luckily there is a 99% chance that he has already played his last match for Pakistan.

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Mediocre batsman, dodgy character, terrible fitness, poor attitude, 31 year old etc.

There is nothing likable about him and I cannot believe he has fans because he hit 3 impact-less half centuries in Australia.

This guy has failed for about 90% of his international career that started in 2013.

Luckily there is a 99% chance that he has already played his last match for Pakistan.

There is still 6-7 years of International Cricket left in him.

[Mamoon]

There is still 6-7 years of International Cricket left in him.

If he is officially 31 that means he is actually 34-35, and he considering his fitness, he moves around like a 45 year old already.

He is a poor batsman and recently flopped in PSL. On top of that, Misbah hates him.

He needs a miracle to get a sniff of the national team in the next 2-3 years and after that, he will be reducing to playing club cricket in Norway or Denmark.

I can see him leaving Pakistan for good very soon.

[ask_analyse_act]

Enough of this guy, PCT should move on. Thanks to Misbah for being firm on fitness levels and also this is the chance where they can implement the rule of no second chance for fixers in national team.

Amir will be the first and last that was given the second chance.

[Savak]

Pretty insulting to plead ignorance like this lol. The guy can't be bothered. Ironically he lacks the hunger to change his fitness levels.

Get slim or stay in domestics. While it may be excusable to be slightly off fitness standards if you're performing, to come back after a fixing ban and still look like a tellytubby is unforgiveable.

If Pakistan were to let Sharjeel make a comeback while in this physical shape it'd be a very significant backwards step.

Lol, he lacks many things, hunger is not one of them, for that he has plenty lol

[Kaddy]

Pretty insulting to plead ignorance like this lol. The guy can't be bothered. Ironically he lacks the hunger to change his fitness levels.

Get slim or stay in domestics. While it may be excusable to be slightly off fitness standards if you're performing, to come back after a fixing ban and still look like a tellytubby is unforgiveable.

If Pakistan were to let Sharjeel make a comeback while in this physical shape it'd be a very significant backwards step.

Do you seriously believe what he lacks is 'Hunger'.

[Kaddy]

Sharjeel Khan is acting as if he was banned in 1989 and then sent to some Andaman Islands type place and when he came back he saw the world has changed.

Or maybe he was in coma for all those years.

[Bullet Drive]

Shadab Khan looks fat now too

[GudduBadmash]

Should be banned for life anyway along with every other cheat

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Shadab Khan looks fat now too

Any pics?

[Slog]

Sharjeel Khan is acting as if he was banned in 1989 and then sent to some Andaman Islands type place and when he came back he saw the world has changed.

Or maybe he was in coma for all those years.

Lol yea. He was barely out couple of years

[Fahdi]

Which "old" fitness standards was he meeting? From 1890?

[Mesozoic]

Which "old" fitness standards was he meeting? From 1890?

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Which "old" fitness standards was he meeting? From 1890?

This one most probably from 2007 World Cup?

[MenInG]

Out for 89 today (run out!) but improvement nevertheless!

[MenInG]

Out for 89 today (run out!) but improvement nevertheless!

A 45-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Saad Ali and Sharjeel steadied the ship before a direct-hit from the boundary rope by Tayyab Tahir, fielding as a substitute, ran out Sharjeel, who struck 11 fours and three sixes in his 138-ball stay at the crease.

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Out for 89 today (run out!) but improvement nevertheless!

He is such a talent. May he become more consistent and find his way back into the team. His offside play looks better, but a bit loose, from evidence.

[MenInG]

57 today in Round 7 of QeA20

[BunnyRabbit]

Even if he knew about the current standards, he would have done nothing about it.
A brainless guy.

[MenInG]

From PCB Report of Day 2, Round 8, QeA20

A fantastic century by Sharjeel Khan gave Sindh a 150-run first innings lead over Northern at the National Stadium.

The opener crunched 17 fours and three sixes in front of the broadcast cameras, which telecasted the action live in Pakistan through PTV Sports and beamed delayed stream across the globe through PCB’s YouTube channel, in his 164-ball knock that had Sindh placed at a comfortable 353 for five.

Over the course of his second century of the season, Sharjeel stitched partnerships worth 87 and 91 with Azizullah (16) and Saud Shakeel, who made 81 off 139, after Sindh started the day on 40 for one.

[shady]

Good to see him regaining form. He can't become complacent though, he needs a big PSL6 and further improvement in fitness if he wants to be part of the upcoming WT20.

[shamaan]

Good to see him regaining form. He can't become complacent though, he needs a big PSL6 and further improvement in fitness if he wants to be part of the upcoming WT20.

Defonitely needs to improve his fitness but hes stil better than fakhar

[Bewal Express]

Another guy that nowhere with his talent. What an idiot

[Slog]

Good to see him regaining form. He can't become complacent though, he needs a big PSL6 and further improvement in fitness if he wants to be part of the upcoming WT20.

You have to keep in mind that he is scoring these runs when the top 35-40 domestic players are on New Zealand tour (Senior team and Shaheens) and 6-8 are playing in the Lanka Premier League.

[Slog]

Good to see him regaining form. He can't become complacent though, he needs a big PSL6 and further improvement in fitness if he wants to be part of the upcoming WT20.

You have to keep in mind that he is scoring these runs when the top 35-40 domestic players are on New Zealand tour (Senior team and Shaheens) and 6-8 are playing in the Lanka Premier League.

To further my point, 2 of the 4 specialist bowlers for Northern are rookies. One is making his FC debut and the other is playing his second FC match. I would take these performances with a bucket of salt.

[hitthestump]

Good century but his dismissal today was pointlessly soft and his fitness remains unacceptable. Sharjeel can make the national team if he wants it, but i think he wants Nihari more.

[shady]

To further my point, 2 of the 4 specialist bowlers for Northern are rookies. One is making his FC debut and the other is playing his second FC match. I would take these performances with a bucket of salt.

I understand it's not necessarily elite competition, but him scoring consistent runs is at least a start. It's why I said he still needs a big PSL6 is he wants to be in contention for WT20. Given Fakhar's lack of form, there's an opening for Sharjeel. He's shown he can succeed in international cricket before, so he's going to have stronger case than most if he keeps performing.

[D/DAhmed]

You have to keep in mind that he is scoring these runs when the top 35-40 domestic players are on New Zealand tour (Senior team and Shaheens) and 6-8 are playing in the Lanka Premier League.

The only top bowlers he's not playing are Shaheen, Naseem and Abbas. Shaheen and Naseem have barely played domestic cricket anyways. Amir and Wahab have retired, and I'm sure Sharjeel would have given the current version of Amir a sound thrashing. In terms of spinners, for some reason our best spinners are currently playing domestic whilst the average ones are representing Pakistan.

If Musa was playing QEA, Sharjeel would certainly have hit 100 runs off his bowling alone.

[nextover666666]

Such a shame he did have a talent for timing the ball and can hit big , I think spin bowling was an issue for him and he tend to find the edges too but he was still solid

It's a shame he never took care of his fitness if he was fit he could have been very valuable for Pakistan

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Still only 31 (or maybe higher real age.) still has 3-4 years in him. I'd invest behind him. He is a talent.

[FreePalestine]

Mediocre batsman, dodgy character, terrible fitness, poor attitude, 31 year old etc.

There is nothing likable about him and I cannot believe he has fans because he hit 3 impact-less half centuries in Australia.

This guy has failed for about 90% of his international career that started in 2013.

Luckily there is a 99% chance that he has already played his last match for Pakistan.

Haha, big call there. I agree Sharjeel’s statement is ridiculous, but, in all likelihood, if Fakhar continues to fail, Sharjeel will have a big PSL and be in the Pak squad for the next T20 world cup or the one in Australia the year after Lets see if my prediction pans out.

[Slog]

The only top bowlers he's not playing are Shaheen, Naseem and Abbas. Shaheen and Naseem have barely played domestic cricket anyways. Amir and Wahab have retired, and I'm sure Sharjeel would have given the current version of Amir a sound thrashing. In terms of spinners, for some reason our best spinners are currently playing domestic whilst the average ones are representing Pakistan.

If Musa was playing QEA, Sharjeel would certainly have hit 100 runs off his bowling alone.

Lol you’re ‘sure’

You’re making him sound like Anwar+Warner hybrid and not Sharjeel Khan.

[D/DAhmed]

Lol you’re ‘sure’

You’re making him sound like Anwar+Warner hybrid and not Sharjeel Khan.

Well I'm not exactly saying he'd be dispatching Starc and Archer to all parts of the ground. The concern was that his performances shouldn't be taken too seriously as the 'top' domestic bowlers aren't currently playing on the circuit. Given how poor Amir was in National T20, and how poor Musa is generally, I'm confident in saying he would demolish them in this form.

[MenInG]

Sharjeel Khan last 6 innings in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy:

74
4
133
51
57
89

408 runs at an average of 68#QeA20 #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) December 23, 2020

[KyoOne]

Sharjeel Khan last 6 innings in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy:

74
4
133
51
57
89

408 runs at an average of 68#QeA20 #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) December 23, 2020

Wow. Brilliant consistency

[Thunderbolt14]

Sharjeel, Omair, Saud, Asad all making runs upon runs and Dhani, Tabish, Hamza taking wickets after wickets, and Sindh still can’t win. What’s going on!

[Markhor]

Sharjeel is significantly outperforming the other domestic openers including the hyped youngsters Zaryab and Yousuf.

Not only averaging close to 50, but striking at 80 !

[Khan12]

Sharjeel is significantly outperforming the other domestic openers including the hyped youngsters Zaryab and Yousuf.

Not only averaging close to 50, but striking at 80 !

Zaryab is decent at best i dont see him playing for Pakistan. I will be surprised if he does. Umair after a decent start has fallen away.

[iRfaN_LA]

How was this guy was not picked for Nz t20 is beyond me. How is abdullah shafique and khushdil shah ahead of him?

[Thunderbolt14]

How was this guy was not picked for Nz t20 is beyond me. How is abdullah shafique and khushdil shah ahead of him?

He failed in the domestic T20 series right before the selections were announced.

[anonymous_guy]

How was this guy was not picked for Nz t20 is beyond me. How is abdullah shafique and khushdil shah ahead of him?

Maybe this will help:-

Khusdil Shah and Abdullah didn't take 💰 to underperform.

P.S.:-

Stop glorifying sell outs and fixers.
It is frustrating to see the social media campaign glorifying Md Asif, he was a good bowler no doubt about it but was an equally good sell out. Pakistan cricket needs to move on.

[Hasan123]

Hopefully he doesn't come but wouldn't be surprised if the fixer plays international cricket due again to due our lack of options in LO cricket.

[Savak]

He is aware of it, just doesn't want to put in the work

[YousafTheBeast]

Pakistan’s fitness standards must be higher than India’s if Sharma gets picked but Sharjeel Khan doesn’t due to being fat.

[hitthestump]

How was this guy was not picked for Nz t20 is beyond me. How is abdullah shafique and khushdil shah ahead of him?

It's beyond you why we didn't pick a sumo wrestler who also had years to get into shape prior to returning to cricket?? Not that hard to figure out surely bhai.

[hitthestump]

Sharjeel is significantly outperforming the other domestic openers including the hyped youngsters Zaryab and Yousuf.

Not only averaging close to 50, but striking at 80 !

Do have to say he's looked excellent when he hits them cleanly. Domestic bowlers are genuinely afraid to bowl to him because he isn't cowed by the situation, if it's there to hit he'll hit it.

I wonder if fitness rules can be relaxed for t20, but with the added caveat that this guy will never get anywhere near anything longer? It probably sends the wrong message through the system though. Every other top team has 11 athletes playing for them so we should aim for the same.

[gazza619]

Need him back in the limited overs set up.

[KyoOne]

Sharjeel has been working very hard on his fitness from day one. He scored like 17 in last fitness tests held several months back. Was never in Misbah's favourites and hence would rot in domestics when inferior players play ahead of him

Give the bloke a break. Witnessed him work very hard off the park everyday during PSL. Had minimal rest because he actively wanted to get fitter - often I wondered if he wasn’t trying so hard to lose weight to play for Pakistan would have he performed more consistently with rest? https://t.co/4w9XtIqM19

— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) March 21, 2020

Spot on Mitch!! We smashed him everyday.. gym .. fielding.. the lot! And we have programs in place for @SharjeelLeo14 to continue his fitness work! He is a special player when on song! https://t.co/1aalI2f0d1

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) March 21, 2020

[KyoOne]

I am working on my fitness and my focus is now on domestic cricket - @SharjeelLeo14 #SINvCP #Cricket #Pakistan #SharjeelKhan #PCB #Karachi #QeA20 #Sindh pic.twitter.com/mKIJsULWm6

— Khel Shel (@khelshel) December 4, 2020

[Titan24]

Has played enough and has worked decently on his fitness post comeback. If its not something non cricket related then I think he should be picked vs SA atleast in one format.

Otherwise we can always fast track another teenager straight to the national team.

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

He is ready. Bring him back!!!!