Veteran Pakistan batsman Fawad Alam was disappointed and hurt over being sidelined from the international scene despite doing well at the domestic circuit for the last 10 years, questioning the selectors’ decision to keep him, again and again, out of the national squad.
However, the batsman has once again reminded national selectors that he is still alive and available if the team needs him when Pakistan is struggling in Australia by hitting a mind-blowing knock of 211 of 309 balls for Sindh in a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2019 match against Southern Punjab recently.
On the course of his magnificent innings, Alam completed his 12,000 first-class runs in his career 257th inning to become the second-fastest Pakistani to reach the milestone after Hanif Mohammad (231 innings), as well as, registered the best ever the first-class average by a Pakistani batsman – 56.57.
Read Also: Wasim Akram worried by Yasir Shah taunting Steve Smith in Brisbane after getting him out
Also, Fawad's batting average is now the 4th highest amongst all batsmen playing first-class cricket across the world only behind Ajay Sharma (67.46), Steve Smith (58.45) and Sachin Tendulkar (57.84) since the last two decades, leaving behind the likes of Ricky Ponting, Rahul Dravid, and Jacques Kallis.
Meanwhile, the 34-year-old has now 12106 runs at a phenomenal average of 56.57, despite these numbers, Pakistan selectors don’t find him suitable for the international level, as he has been continuously ignored for the national selection after having featured in just three Tests.
However, Alam, whose last international appearance way back in 2009 for Pakistan, hasn’t lost his hopes for Pakistan re-call, as he wants to continue to perform well in the domestic cricket.
Fawad was quoted as saying by Geo News, “Naturally it hurts. But, I am not losing hope. Hope sustains the world and has sustained me as well.”
He added, “I am not a big star player who can go and question the PCB or the selectors, but whenever I have talked to my colleagues, I didn’t find any special reason for keeping me out.”
While former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed said of Fawad’s continues omission: “He was considered and was close to being picked but we had to opt for the best possible squad for the Pakistan team.”
Sarfaraz signed off by saying, “Fawad has never complained to me about not being selected for the national team, he keeps on performing and the best way to answer (critics) is with the bat. Fawad Alam’s best quality is that he keeps on answering with his bat. What I like about him is that he never gives up. I hope he gets the chance soon.”
(With Geo TV Inputs)
