Cricket enthusiasts were amazed, shocked and disappointed to see the name of Fawad Alam missing from the Pakistan line up for the tour of Ireland and England. Poor Fawad has been on the side lines for so many years despite scoring 168 in his debut Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo in 2009.
Even after this stunning performance, he could survive for only two more Test matches, the last against New Zealand at Dunedin the same year. He scored 966 runs in only 38 one-day Internationals with a healthy average of 40.25 (one century and 6 fifties) but the selectors kept ignoring him.
PCB claims to have the domestic performance as the selection criteria but what about Fawad Alam, who has been the most consistent and prolific scorer in domestic circuit. He was included in the camp to avoid the media pressure with extra focus on his fitness, his fitness level, once again, proved to be far better than many of their favorite players.
Before the last tour of England, a fitness camp was organized at PMA Kakul. Four players Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, and Fawad Alam turned out to be the fittest cricketers of the cohort that intensively trained at PMA Kakul. Their inclusion in the squad looked like a done deal as Inzamam-ul-Haq, in his new role as the chief selector, vowed to prioritize players that meet ‘some certain fitness criteria’ but to the surprise of every one, Fawad was over looked for reasons best known to the chief selector.
Players play domestic circuit and try to perform in view of getting an opportunity to play international cricket. One can’t understand why Fawad is still out from the squad despite scoring runs in domestic on an average of 50 in the last three-four years.
On a tough tour like England, we needed experienced player who could stay at the wicket and stabilize the middle order but we preferred players who are young and inexperienced. We have seen our team losing to Sri Lanka without Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq. One can only hope that the story is not repeated.
Reacting to the strong wave of criticism, chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq has put salt on the wounds by saying that there are better players than Fawad Alam but one has right to ask that where does his nephew stand in the line of top performers having an average of 34.46 as compared to Fawad Alam’s 55.37.
By selecting young Imam at the expense of Fawad, Inzamam has put his nephew under extra pressure. Now he will be the focus of attention and will be watched through hawk’s eye. Selection of four openers has also raised many eye brows as there are only three test matches to be played in Ireland and England.
Before I conclude, I would like to give some statistics highlighting the magnificent career of this player who still has a hope that he will considered some day and will be able to prove his quality
Batting and fielding averages
Batting and fielding averages
Bowling averages
First Class Averages of Top Pakistan Players
Other team players in First Class Cricket
Fawad Alam has scored 10,742 runs in 145 first-class matches at an average of 55.37. Saad Ali has 3,473 runs from 50 first-class matches at an average of 46.93.
Usman Salahuddin has 6,329 runs from 99 first-class matches at an average of 46.53.
Imam-ul- Haq has scored 1,792 runs in 34 first-class matches at an average of 34.46.