‘We face all sorts of hurdles in life’ – Babar Azam on the sexual harassment allegations

Babar Azam, the Pakistan all-format skipper, said that he’s not overawed by the charges of sexual harassment levelled against him. Earlier, Hamiza Mukhtar, a woman, accused Azam of harassment, claiming that he made false marriage promises and even went on to threaten her.

On Thursday, a Lahore court ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to register a case against Babar. The 26-year-old Babar, who’s busy preparing for Pakistan’s tour of South Africa, was clear cut in saying that the off-field chaos hasn’t affected his game by any means.

This issue has not affected my form or cricket: Babar Azam

“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,” Babar was quoted as saying in a virtual press conference on Friday, March 19.

Babar also opened up on the selection of Sharjeel Khan for the T20I series. Both Babar and Sharjeel have played for the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Having batted alongside the left-hander, Azam sounded confident about his form and also pledged to work on the southpaw’s fitness going forward.

“I have opened with him in the PSL and I know how destructive he can be. Yes his fitness is not up there but we will work on his fitness and improve it,” he stated.

“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.

In PSL 2021, Sharjeel played five games and scored 200 runs at an average and strike-rate of 40 and 170.94 respectively. He also got a top score of 105 against the Islamabad United at the National Stadium in Karachi. However, his knock went in vain as Shadab Khan’s United won by five wickets.