Has the Fawad Alam chapter closed forever?

[Leo23]

For many years the fans were adamant that after the retirement of Younis and misbah the selectors will turn to Fawad Alam.

However he has been ignored for Haris and Salahuddin and it seems like Mickey and Inzi do not rate him at all

Mickey has not even mentioned him a single time in any of his interviews and inzi has hinted quite a few times that he is not convinced with his technique

He is 32 now and his performance in the last first class season was below par

It is safe to say that he has played his last match for pakistan. Surely this is it for him.

The guy with the highest first class average in history of pakistan (56) only got to play 3 test matches.

Surely this has to go down as the biggest injustice in history of Pakistan cricket.

 

[Leo23]

he is 22nd on the list when it comes to the highest first class averages in history. the next pakistani batsman (miandad) is 54th

and yet only 3 test matches )

 

[Adil_94]

well i remember in the summer of 2010 when Misbah wasn't selected for the tour of England. He did an interview where he said i feel like burning my kit. And at 36 it looked like it was all over for Misbah and his lasting memory as a cricketer would be that WT20 2007 Final and the botched scoop shot.

But he came back in as Captain unexpectedly in November 2010 and the rest as they say is history.

So i wouldnt rule out a Fawad comeback in the future more likely in the Test format i would say and thats where i would give him a chance rather than in LOIs.

 

[Leo23]

well i remember in the summer of 2010 when Misbah wasn't selected for the tour of England. He did an interview where he said i feel like burning my kit. And at 36 it looked like it was all over for Misbah and his lasting memory as a cricketer would be that WT20 2007 Final and the botched scoop shot.

But he came back in as Captain unexpectedly in November 2010 and the rest as they say is history.

So i wouldnt rule out a Fawad comeback in the future more likely in the Test format i would say and thats where i would give him a chance rather than in LOIs.

misbah was mainly dropped for his poor form

when you are poor form at the age of 36 you will not last long. he has always been a flat track bully but on his return in 2010 and he scored a lot of runs in asia and we won quite a few matches which helped him solidify his position

the difference with fawad is that he has been discriminated for his supposedly poor technique. a technique so poor that only 21 batsmen in history have scored more runs in first class cricket.

plus i feel that he has lost the motivation to perform because he has realized that no matter what he does he will not get a chance

 

[KyoOne]

Pure injustice!

The guy deserves to be the first name in the squad on the basis of his domestic performances, but ignored yet again

 

[KyoOne]

He has always been prolific with the bat, season after season, but has played only 3 games in career! 2 of which were in New Zealand at one-down (his unnatural position), and one as an opener where he scored his maiden century.

Had a dream comeback to ODIs back in 2014, averaged in mid 60s (best among Pakistanis) with a healthy SR, but was dropped due to 3 poor games against Aussies.

Now continually being snubbed from the test team, even after Misbah and Younis are retired.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Poor lad,feel for this guy.

 

[UN talkz]

He has always been prolific with the bat, season after season, but has played only 3 games in career! 2 of which were in New Zealand at one-down (his unnatural position), and one as an opener where he scored his maiden century.

Had a dream comeback to ODIs back in 2014, averaged in mid 60s (best among Pakistanis) with a healthy SR, but was dropped due to 3 poor games against Aussies.

Now continually being snubbed from the test team, even after Misbah and Younis are retired.

I think he has played all his three test matches against Sri Lanka

 

[New Yorker]

For many years the fans were adamant that after the retirement of Younis and misbah the selectors will turn to Fawad Alam.

However he has been ignored for Haris and Salahuddin and it seems like Mickey and Inzi do not rate him at all

Mickey has not even mentioned him a single time in any of his interviews and inzi has hinted quite a few times that he is not convinced with his technique

He is 32 now and his performance in the last first class season was below par

It is safe to say that he has played his last match for pakistan. Surely this is it for him.

The guy with the highest first class average in history of pakistan (56) only got to play 3 test matches.

Surely this has to go down as the biggest injustice in history of Pakistan cricket.

A travesty. Fawad, Sadaf, Shan Masood and Arsal Sheikh; four reasons to hold the PCB and Sethi in utter contempt.

 

[Leo23]

A travesty. Fawad, Sadaf, Shan Masood and Arsal Sheikh; four reasons to hold the PCB and Sethi in utter contempt.

why sethi? he doesn't select the squad

 

[another drop catch]

he should be offered a role of head coach of under19 by PCB

 

[KyoOne]

I think he has played all his three test matches against Sri Lanka

He played first two an an OPENER, a position he had never batted before, because middle order was occupied by the likes of ATGs Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal.

He had the best average among Pakistani batsmen in those tests, despite being made an opener off of a sudden.

In the tour match in New Zealand, Fawad again topscored.

3rd test, when they did finally found an opener, Fawad was made to come one down despite the team having the likes of Yousuf, Malik and 2 Akmals, as if a youngster who has played all his cricket in middle-order in Pakistan would magically become a reliable one-down in swinging conditions. He was bound to fail under the circumstances, and was inevitably dismissed in each innings by a fired up Bond, who streamrolled Pakistan entire match. Fawad was made the scapegoat for the match, and he never played a single test thereafter.

 

[KyoOne]

why sethi? he doesn't select the squad

PCB is surely answerable for continuous ouster of one of the best domestic players of the country's history.

 

[LordJames]

Why is the Media silent on this? Every press conference amd every oppurtunity the question of Fawad Alam should be raised. Selectors should be made to explain their reasons, as they may have good reasons.

Similar injustice was done to Asim Kamal

 

[Slog]

well i remember in the summer of 2010 when Misbah wasn't selected for the tour of England. He did an interview where he said i feel like burning my kit. And at 36 it looked like it was all over for Misbah and his lasting memory as a cricketer would be that WT20 2007 Final and the botched scoop shot.

But he came back in as Captain unexpectedly in November 2010 and the rest as they say is history.

So i wouldnt rule out a Fawad comeback in the future more likely in the Test format i would say and thats where i would give him a chance rather than in LOIs.

Misbah was dropped fairly

for the last 7-8 matches before his drop he had been atrocious

 

[Slog]

Why is the Media silent on this? Every press conference amd every oppurtunity the question of Fawad Alam should be raised. Selectors should be made to explain their reasons, as they may have good reasons.

Similar injustice was done to Asim Kamal

the clue is to see where both of these cricketers are from. But it is undeniable

 

[Slog]

A travesty. Fawad, Sadaf, Shan Masood and Arsal Sheikh; four reasons to hold the PCB and Sethi in utter contempt.

cant blame Sethi for this.

Not his fan but lets not just throw names for fun

 

[Chief Destroyer]

His chapter was closed after Australia literally toyed with him. Never have I seen an international player look so helpless.

 

[asma_cricfan]

Why you all would think pakistan is in a mess in general. Its the injustice which we can see in every field and part of society. Cricket is no different.

When you see akmal brothers played more than 400 matches altogether but players like fawad, haris, hammad etc will not get any consistent chances.

And of course the players who faced grave injustice from pcb/selectors are most of the time from karachi.
Fawad
Sarfraz(don't forget he was supposed to start playing atleast two years earlier for pak but thanks to akmal brothers).
Asim kamal

I can give many names just to boil your blood from karachi who as compare to akmals, farhat, shehzad. Hafeez etc didn't get consistent chances and was discarded forever after couple of failures.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

cant blame Sethi for this.

Not his fan but lets not just throw names for fun

Agreed as much as I don't like Sethi and his past antics I will never blame him for this, the ouster of Fawad is due to influential people in Pakistan cricket that make sure a certain section of the country always remains behind a certain other and quite frankly we're extremely use to it now !!

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

His chapter was closed after Australia literally toyed with him. Never have I seen an international player look so helpless.

.........Yes if only he could slog and get caught at deep mid wicket, he would make the perfect batsman for our country.

 

[Adil_94]

[MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] yeah i know i remember me n my friend were mocking Misbah for saying that and said yeah go on burn your kit you are finished.

my point is that in Pakistan cricket u can never say never. if some of the young blood fails. Fawad could be called upon just like Misbah was after the 2010 debacle when our young batting line up was continuously exposed.

Sarfraz being a Karachi guy might help Fawad too later on.

 

[Slog]

[MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] yeah i know i remember me n my friend were mocking Misbah for saying that and said yeah go on burn your kit you are finished.

my point is that in Pakistan cricket u can never say never. if some of the young blood fails. Fawad could be called upon just like Misbah was after the 2010 debacle when our young batting line up was continuously exposed.

Sarfraz being a Karachi guy might help Fawad too later on.

The problem is...

Fawad Alam has probably lost interest and his game has likely regressed

What would be the point of recalling him after age of thirty after his numbers have dropped and not doing so when he was topping charts season after season. Working with international team and coaches most likely would have improved his game as well and tightened his technqiue everyone keeps crying about

But he was rotting away in domestics

I dont think there is a direct comparison between Misbah and Fawad

Firstly Misbah was being kept out mostly due to the big 3 of Younis, Yousuf and Inzi whereas Fawad didnt have as illustrious batsmen in front of him. And more importantly, Misbah was never putting the numbers Fawad Alam did. Misbah was a consistent performer but he wasnt topping charts season after season and becoming one of the ATG FC batsmen statistically..

 

[htariq25]

Yh he's gone. Time to move on. Poor lad should retire from cricket and try something else. Rlly unfortunate for him.

 

[Haroon786]

cant blame Sethi for this.

Not his fan but lets not just throw names for fun

Agreed as much as I don't like Sethi and his past antics I will never blame him for this, the ouster of Fawad is due to influential people in Pakistan cricket that make sure a certain section of the country always remains behind a certain other and quite frankly we're extremely use to it now !!

If you know names, the floor is yours - otherwise there's no point in ambiguous posts.

 

[hadi123]

It's likely. Pure injustice has been done to this poor lad. But he still is only early 30s so never say never. If he can work even harder in domestics surely the selectors can't keep on ignoring him.

 

[LordJames]

The problem is...

Fawad Alam has probably lost interest and his game has likely regressed

What would be the point of recalling him after age of thirty after his numbers have dropped and not doing so when he was topping charts season after season. Working with international team and coaches most likely would have improved his game as well and tightened his technqiue everyone keeps crying about

But he was rotting away in domestics

I dont think there is a direct comparison between Misbah and Fawad

Firstly Misbah was being kept out mostly due to the big 3 of Younis, Yousuf and Inzi whereas Fawad didnt have as illustrious batsmen in front of him. And more importantly, Misbah was never putting the numbers Fawad Alam did. Misbah was a consistent performer but he wasnt topping charts season after season and becoming one of the ATG FC batsmen statistically..

He hasn't lost interes and despite the treatment given to him, his average hasn't dipped significantly either. His form dipped slightly but not by much.

He is still toying with bowlers and scoring runs for fun while Haris Sohail hasn't been nowhere near as emphatic and dominant ever but still finds a place in the 18.

Next excuse please...

 

[Justcrazy]

Its really pathetic , not to give him another go.

Inzamam has been unfair.

 

[Abdul]

Hopefully.

 

[The_Odd_One]

He should change his last name to Akmal then he will become talented overnight.

 

[Leo23]

the clue is to see where both of these cricketers are from. But it is undeniable

it is not about regional bias so please don't bring that to the discussion. no one in pakistan cricket rates fawad because of his ugly technique. it wouldn't have been any different if he was from lahore.

in pakistan there is a misconception that good technique is pleasing on the eye. they don't realize that good technique is the one that helps you score runs and no one scores like fawad.

i have attended many trials in pakistan and they focus is entirely on how to look good. someone like steve smith with his unorthodox technique would never pass a trial in a pakistan.

but asim kamal was not treated unfairly. his domestic record was poor and he was begging to struggle in international cricket as well. he could not score a single hundred and would eventually have been exposed.

 

[Leo23]

His chapter was closed after Australia literally toyed with him. Never have I seen an international player look so helpless.

yes he is a poor option for limited overs but we are talking tests here

if mediocre shafiq can play 50 tests and score some hundreds fawad would certainly have done better in his peak

 

[Leo23]

i can say with 100% certainty that if he would played instead of shafiq all these years he would have been much more productive. would definitely have averaged close to 50 if not above.

 

[Slog]

yes he is a poor option for limited overs but we are talking tests here

if mediocre shafiq can play 50 tests and score some hundreds fawad would certainly have done better in his peak

yes mediocre shafiq. The only Pakistani batsman asides from YK to score a century in SA, Aus and NZ. Away centuries ie

 

[Leo23]

yes mediocre shafiq. The only Pakistani batsman asides from YK to score a century in SA, Aus and NZ. Away centuries ie

the guy can barely keep his average above 40 in spite of playing so many games in uae and asian conditions

centuries in isolation don't mean anything. shehzad has odi hundreds in south africa and new zealand

even hafeez has a 90+ score in england and salman butt has multiple hundreds in australia

batting at the highest level is all about consistency and shafiq cannot put 2-3 good scores together regardless of the conditions and the opposition. what is the point of scoring a hundred every now and then when you fail more than half of the time

he is weak and timid at the crease and has failed to grow into confidence all these years. watching him bat one can sense that it is only a matter of time before he gets out. he doesn't fill you with confidence and belief that someone like azhar does

fawad puts a far more hefty price on his wicket and has immense concentration levels.

 

[Slog]

the guy can barely keep his average above 40 in spite of playing so many games in uae and asian conditions

centuries in isolation don't mean anything. shehzad has odi hundreds in south africa and new zealand

even hafeez has a 90+ score in england and salman butt has multiple hundreds in australia

batting at the highest level is all about consistency and shafiq cannot put 2-3 good scores together regardless of the conditions and the opposition. what is the point of scoring a hundred every now and then when you fail more than half of the time

he is weak and timid at the crease and has failed to grow into confidence all these years. watching him bat one can sense that it is only a matter of time before he gets out. he doesn't fill you with confidence and belief that someone like azhar does

fawad puts a far more hefty price on his wicket and has immense concentration levels.

yes Shafiq is a problem but Shehzad is the greatest thing since sliced bread for you

Carry on.

 

[Leo23]

yes Shafiq is a problem but Shehzad is the greatest thing since sliced bread for you

Carry on.

i am not even a shehzad fan

but i appreciate good performances no matter if i rate the player or not

i was against shehzad before this world xi series but he has earned his selection now. similarly i will support shafiq if he starts performing consistently.

unlike you i don't have agendas against certain players and i don't seek joy in their failures. anyone who wears the green shirt has my support. only petty folks pray for failures of certain players for point scoring.

 

[Mueez]

I really hope that he makes a comeback. I really feel for this guy

 

[Suleiman]

Haris and Usman are younger and with Inzi/Mickey duo's focus on youth, I'm not sure why people are surprised.

Yes it is a sad case, and while Inzi has been an alright selector this doesn't come on his shoulders. Blame the Wasim Baris, Iqbal Qasims who dropped Fawad unjustly and kept him out during his prime, Inzi came later when he is now on the wrong side of 30.

 

[Savak]

Fawad Alam's lack of technique always showed up which is why he got dropped more times than not. His Lack of Power game got exposed in ODI's, he got further exposed once the opposition dried up his singles.

 

[Hasan123]

Pakistan cricket seems to have moved onto a younger breed of batsmen which is the correct decision imo.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Not a fan of Fawad Alam at all, but he should have been given a chance now that Younis and Misbah have retired. He is experienced and is a grafter, while we now have only Shafiq to shephard the middle-order who is not reliable at all.

Selecting Usman and Haris will be a mistake against better teams. This batting line-up is as inexperienced as the disaster we had in 2010 in England.

 

[msb314]

I think he has played all his three test matches against Sri Lanka

He also played the 1st Test match against NZ in November 2009 (this was also Umar Akmal's Test debut when he scored 129) - sadly it turned out to be the last time he ever played in a Test match

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13425/scorecard/423778/New-Zealand-vs-Pakistan-1st-Test

 

[msb314]

He has always been prolific with the bat, season after season, but has played only 3 games in career! 2 of which were in New Zealand at one-down (his unnatural position), and one as an opener where he scored his maiden century.

Had a dream comeback to ODIs back in 2014, averaged in mid 60s (best among Pakistanis) with a healthy SR, but was dropped due to 3 poor games against Aussies.

Now continually being snubbed from the test team, even after Misbah and Younis are retired.

He only played one game against NZ before he was dropped and never to be selected again.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/13425/scorecard/423778/New-Zealand-vs-Pakistan-1st-Test

 

[msb314]

the clue is to see where both of these cricketers are from. But it is undeniable

Asim Kamal was highly inconsistent - look at his last 6 innings before he was permanently dropped after the 3rd Test against England in 2005.

- 4
- 0
- 55
- 51
- 0
- 5

Although he scored 2 half centuries but there were just as many single digit scores.

Not to mention - during our next tour when India came to Pakistan in 2006. YK, MoYo and Inzy all bashed them for fun whilst Malik and Afridi both provided useful contributions with the ball so it was clear Asim Kamal was no longer needed.

Decent batsman but not good enough to be in our starting XI during that time period. 2004-2007 was a graveyard for middle order batsman not named YK, MoYo or Inzy lol Just ask Misbah, Bazid Khan, Hasan Raza, Mohammad Hafeez etc...

 

[Pete Rose]

should be.
but lets discard him after a recall.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Yes. He seems resigned to this as well.

 

[Ami Perth]

Fawad Alam is most unfortunate cricketer pakistan have..when he was in prime form people including selectors criticised his technique and kept him out from the team and provide so little chance to him to prove his worth. I would blame highly to Ex Chief Selector Iqbal Qasim who did not select him during entire tenure. Now he has crossed his age of 30..people are saying he is not younger enough to be selected.

 

[Junaids]

he is 22nd on the list when it comes to the highest first class averages in history. the next pakistani batsman (miandad) is 54th

and yet only 3 test matches )

One First Class century in 2015-16.

One First Class century in 2016-17, when Salman Butt hit four - which still didn't get him into the Test squad.

Fawad Alan has not done anything like enough for a Test slot.

And he's the wrong side of 30.

Goodbye. Don't bother us again Mr Alam until you've scored at least 5 First Class centuries in a season.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

One First Class century in 2015-16.

One First Class century in 2016-17, when Salman Butt hit four - which still didn't get him into the Test squad.

Fawad Alan has not done anything like enough for a Test slot.

And he's the wrong side of 30.

Goodbye. Don't bother us again Mr Alam until you've scored at least 5 First Class centuries in a season.

Who are you to tell us who to play and who not to play ?? Pure Injustice has been done to this lad over the years and guess what he's not some sell out cheat like your Hero Salman Butt who you keep on parading for.

Fawad will Inshallah play for Pakistan again...

 

[MMHS]

Fawad deserved a chance in Test team at least in last 5/6 years. Still averages 50+ in Asia and never got a 2nd chance in his strongest format after 2010. Unfortunate for a guy to play last Test at 24-25 with a FC average close to 60. I don't think, his unconventional batting style is the issue here. Since he didn't make the squad for SRL in UAE after 2 middle order slot was open, I don't think he'll ever be called, rather selectors will go for younger players.

I think, this time it's because of Arthur (who might not be interested for Fawad, because after long 2 Test Series against SRL, MashAllah PAK players will have some series cricket & 7 months later PAK 'll give ENG practice for couple of Test matches before they takes on IND - a good show against Lanka means, Fawad'll force is way to ENG, which I don't think Arthur likes to happen), but the guy should have played for PAK many more Tests for sure.

 

[shaz619]

I think Fawad's time has come and gone, it's a shame because he should have played more games for Pak but was unjustly overlooked. Now we don't need him.

 

[Slog]

, MashAllah PAK players will have some series cricket & 7 months later PAK 'll give ENG practice for couple of Test matches before they takes on IND -

Yes Pakistan will give England who they drew away against, 'practise' to face India who England beat 3-1 and 4-0 before at home

 

[MMHS]

Yes Pakistan will give England who they drew away against, 'practise' to face India who England beat 3-1 and 4-0 before at home

You failed to "read between lines".

 

[Slog]

You failed to "read between lines".

theres no conspiracy for or against here

its just how the schedule is

england always does this. one two-three test series and then a big marquee test series.

we were the main event two years ago so naturally wont be us again

 

[cricketerB94]

All I can see in this thread is insecurity and inferiority complex by a certain region. Asad Shafiq is from that region so his inconsistency is justified but Ahmed Shehzad is from rival region so he is the most inconsistent player on earth. They think that players from their region don't get consistent chances but they forget that Afridi played for 20 years for Pakistan, Asad is Pakistan's permanent test player, Sarfraz is Pakistan's all format captain, Anwar Ali got consistent chances before selectors realized that he was not good enough, Sohail Khan also got chances before his fitness exposed, Younis Khan, Ruman Raees, Mir Hamza and so on. But they think that it is only rival region's players who get consistent chances.

Now coming to Fawad Alam, he was unfortunate that he was a middle order batsman and he topped the domestic charts when our middle order in tests was settled with Azhar, Younis, Misbah and Shafiq. Misbah always wanted specialist openers so there was no chance of Fawad to be selected as opener. They tried to adjust him in LOIs because of his domestic performances but Australian team literally bullied him and he failed to do his main job i.e. scoring runs for Pakistan and then he deserved to be dropped from LOI team. Now Misbah and Younis are gone from Pakistan's middle order and Fawad could have a chance but his last year's performances in domestics were not good enough to grant him a recall.

 

[MMHS]

theres no conspiracy for or against here

its just how the schedule is

england always does this. one two-three test series and then a big marquee test series.

we were the main event two years ago so naturally wont be us again

So, you didn't notice that an entire Cricket season, from OCT to May - there is no Test match & that 7 months' barren period is flanked by couple of 2 Tests series.


[MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION] - bro, this time I believe you won't react much if I write that epitome of PAK's entirely is T20 & PSL.

 

[Slog]

So, you didn't notice that an entire Cricket season, from OCT to May - there is no Test match & that 7 months' barren period is flanked by couple of 2 Tests series.


[MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION] - bro, this time I believe you won't react much if I write that epitome of PAK's entirely is T20 & PSL.

These cycles happen

Last year we played 15 tests in a 9 month period or so

Its just bad scheduling. and even then there might be an extra test series against SL

 

[MMHS]

These cycles happen

Last year we played 15 tests in a 9 month period or so

Its just bad scheduling. and even then there might be an extra test series against SL

Are you sure that's an example or exception?

 

[Hasan123]

So, you didn't notice that an entire Cricket season, from OCT to May - there is no Test match & that 7 months' barren period is flanked by couple of 2 Tests series.


[MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION] - bro, this time I believe you won't react much if I write that epitome of PAK's entirely is T20 & PSL.

Poor scheduling too only have 4 tests in a 8/9 month period.

 

[MMHS]

Poor scheduling too only have 4 tests in a 8/9 month period.

Still, it's far better than 2008 I believe - so, it's not about schedule only, I guess .

 

[moghul]

Yes, Fawad deserves a place in test eleven although I would not be watching him play, ugliest stance and battling style I have seen. But runs matter and he has been scoring.

 

[RickyG]

One First Class century in 2015-16.

One First Class century in 2016-17, when Salman Butt hit four - which still didn't get him into the Test squad.

Fawad Alan has not done anything like enough for a Test slot.

And he's the wrong side of 30.

Goodbye. Don't bother us again Mr Junaids ever.

I'm sure that's how a lot of posters feel about you. On a separate note, when was the last time you made a post without mentioning Salman Butt?

The obsession has certainly gone from being annoying to concerning and weird.

 

[FreePalestine]

A real injustice, makes me feel really sad for him and for myself, since I am sure we would have beaten India at Mohali if F. Alam was playing. I remember thinking that at the time and I believe this is true.

On who is to blame - I can say with high confidence that Najam Sethi is not the cause of Fawad's trouble. I asked him about this myself actually.

The real culprit is Shakeel Sheikh. No, I do not have any hard evidence for this, but it is the truth.

 

[Stewie]

He should have been given a few more chances in my opinion. It is injustice but then again he is not the first Pakistani to suffer from it. Our cricket history is littered with such people.

On a side note and quite irrelevant to his deserving stature, I have to say his style is butt ugly. Very very harsh on the eyes!

 

[Lefthanded]

He should change his last name to Akmal then he will become talented overnight.

Insulting the Akmal name like that is an insult to Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal.

 

[Junaids]

A real injustice, makes me feel really sad for him and for myself, since I am sure we would have beaten India at Mohali if F. Alam was playing. I remember thinking that at the time and I believe this is true.

On who is to blame - I can say with high confidence that Najam Sethi is not the cause of Fawad's trouble. I asked him about this myself actually.

The real culprit is Shakeel Sheikh. No, I do not have any hard evidence for this, but it is the truth.

No, the real culprit is Fawad Alam.

Every season he has around 15 First Class innings, and only scores 1 century.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Should be recalled in tests. We desperately need a solid middle.order batsman who can play spin , he is a good stopgap solution to replace Azhar and Shafiq, while we blood in young batsmen like Saad Ali and Usnan Saluddin.

 

[RickyG]

Agreed. Deserves a proper go in test cricket.

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

No, the real culprit is Fawad Alam.

Every season he has around 15 First Class innings, and only scores 1 century.

Damn. Wonder he keeps that average right up there...

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

Should be recalled in tests. We desperately need a solid middle.order batsman who can play spin , he is a good stopgap solution to replace Azhar and Shafiq, while we blood in young batsmen like Saad Ali and Usnan Saluddin.

With the recent SA tour, we also need someone who can play the short ball/genuine pace.

 

[Abid Z]

Sometimes Pakistan cricket is a riddle wrapped inside a mystery in an enigma. You have just been slapped around by SAF in a test series. Our best batsmen prior to the series have looked awful, yet the new guys Shan in particular have battled it out and look competitive even if not entirely accomplished. You would think it’s at least possible to induct a proven domestic performer with handy SLA spin in his armoury. But what do we do...stick to giving chances to soft players like asad and azhar without bringing in genuine pressure for places.

 

[FastBowlingAllrounder]

Sometimes Pakistan cricket is a riddle wrapped inside a mystery in an enigma. You have just been slapped around by SAF in a test series. Our best batsmen prior to the series have looked awful, yet the new guys Shan in particular have battled it out and look competitive even if not entirely accomplished. You would think it’s at least possible to induct a proven domestic performer with handy SLA spin in his armoury. But what do we do...stick to giving chances to soft players like asad and azhar without bringing in genuine pressure for places.

That has been the problem with our team selection for years. So many young talents come into the national team and perform well in their first few games. Then the same guys become regulars/automatic selection and their performances regress due to lack of competition/knowing their place in the side is cemented. If anyone and everyone in PAK team knew that with any slip-ups they could be dropped, then everyone would be so motivated to train hard and perform.

 

[DHONI183]

given his approach and the style of batting, I can understand him not doing too well or even not being considered much for selection in ODIs or T20I cricket, he wasn´t made for that perhaps, but he definitely, for a surety, should´ve been given a proper and prolonged run in Test cricket. Just three Test matches for a guy who made 168 on debut is just beyond me. It escapes me! Who knows what politics went behind the closed doors?!

 

[gazza619]

I would have loved to see LQ sign Fawad as captain. He can contribute as an opener