Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has brushed aside the allegations of sexual harassment as a factor to affect his batting form ahead of the tours to South Africa and Zimbabwe.
A Lahore woman named Hamiza Mukhtar has accused the 26-year-old for sexually harassing, threatening and falsely promising to marry her. Babar has labelled it as a personal issue as his lawyer is handling the matter in court as the cricketer prepares himself for the two tours in the next couple of months.
Babar Azam said in a virtual press conference, "It is my personal issue and it is in court. My lawyer is handling it. We face all sorts of hurdles in life and I am used to it. This issue has not affected my form or cricket."
Coming to the cricket, Babar has revealed that the diasgreements regarding team selection were about Sharjeel Khan, who has been left out citing fitness issues. Sharjeel is criticized for being on the heavier side and lacking the fitness required for international cricket.
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Babar Azam has played with Sharjeel in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and believes that the opener is not the fittest but can be a match-winner for Pakistan.
He said, "I have opened with him in the PSL and I know how destructive he can be. Yes his fitness is up there but we will work on his fitness and improve it. I don't think Sharjeel's fitness is that bad. We can't expect him to be a Shadab Khan but he has played the entire domestic season and has also performed."
"He is not that bad on the field and I don't think we have to worry about covering him. He is a bit overweight but I am confident with the team his fitness will improve a lot," Babar added.
The Pakistan skipper also stated that discussions and disagreements happen during selection meetings but it is for the betterment of the team and should not go outside the room.
"There are always discussions, disagreements and agreements in selection committee meetings but in the end it is always for the betterment of the team and players and shouldn't come out of the room," Babar concluded.
(With inputs from PTI)
