He dismissed opener Sajjad Ali off the last ball of the second over to give his side a boost in their defence of 155. Shahnawaz Dahani bowled a short ball that took the top edge, with the ball flying behind square over the leg side. Azam immediately set off in pursuit, judging the swirling chance well and catching the ball outside of the 30-yard circle, before tumbling to the ground.

Azam has fought questions and barbs over his fitness during his career. “It’s not about being overweight. It’s about performance,” he had told Cricket Monthly earlier this year. His supporters boasted this effort as proving his detractors wrong.

His performances have been excellent in the National T20 Cup, recording an average of 43.85 and a strike rate of 156.63. His last five innings read 14, 38, 34*, 23*, 59*, including the final.

Azam last played for Pakistan in March 2023. He has played five T20Is but is yet to play an innings of note. In all T20 cricket, he averages 25.33 with a strike rate of 144.75.

Watch the special catch below

Outstanding take by @MAzamKhan45 to dismiss the in-form Sajjad Ali Jnr 🧤#NationalT20 | #ABTvKHIW | #AajaMaidanMein pic.twitter.com/qFnFqnZxeY

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 10, 2023

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