Fawad Alam, a well-known batsman, was included in Pakistan’s test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka when Pakistan’s chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq announced the Test squad in a press conference on Saturday.
Fawad played his last Test match in 2009, and eventually, after 10 years, he has been rewarded for his incredible performances in domestic cricket. He was selected as a replacement for Iftikhar Ahmed, who failed to make an impact in the recent series of Test matches against Australia.
Misbah said, “Fawad’s selection is not based on just one year. It is an accumulation of his performances over five to six years. He has a career average of 57 and is in great form right now as well. Dropping Iftikhar was a difficult decision. He had been doing well in white-ball cricket but it does not mean that we are cutting him out for good. Whenever we need him, we will call him back.”
He also told that only two changes were made in the squad. “The other change is Usman Shinwari. We have struggled a little bit with bowling and Usman’s bowling and energy, even on flat pitches here, has been good.”, he said.
Before announcing the team, Misbah also said that contrary to popular belief, he does not choose the team unilaterally and that the list was developed after detailed consultations. “The perception is that there is a one-man show going on here. It is not like this at all. There are six selectors all of who have their say,” he said.
Misbah’s young squad was defeated badly in Australia last month. However, he defended his policies by saying that there was no choice but to use new and young players because the team was mission several regular and senior players.
He also asked for more time and patience from the critics to sort out the fate of the team. “I do not have a magic wand which I will wave and everything will get better.”
The Pakistani Cricket team is scheduled to play a test series of two matches against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi and Karachi.
Here is what Cricket fans have to say about the selection:
Fawad Alam played last test match in Nov2009. Had to wait a decade to get comeback call. Meanwhil scored consistently in firstclass in ten years of span yet faced ignorance by various selectors. Now that he got chance to wear whites of Pakistan Lets wish Fawad all th best!#PAKvSL
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) December 7, 2019
Fawad Alam finally selected in the test squad, now praying that he performs well, nobody in Pakistan domestic cricket has deserved more chance in the national side than him for last decade.
— Osama. (@ashaqeens) December 7, 2019
After ten years of his efforts and ten years of our gaaliyan, Fawad Alam has been picked in Pakistanās International test squad in the upcoming series against Srilanka. Thank you everyone for this is our #momentofthedecade. #JusticeForFawad
— nma (@namaloomafraaad) December 7, 2019
The champion is backšā¤ļø
Congratualtions Fawad Alamā¤ļø@iamfawadalam25 pic.twitter.com/3aTpbea575— Syed Aoun (@AounMehdi20) December 7, 2019
Finally the wait is over!!!!!
Ignored talent Fawad Alam has been included for the test squad against Sri Lanka. After ten years he's playing a test match for Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/VDY2swwune— Muhammad Abbas šµš° (@AbbasSays786) December 7, 2019