Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan left-handed batsman Fawad Alam has promised to work even harder and stay positive after being ignored in the 16-man squad for the upcoming tour to Ireland and England in May. Chief selector Inzamamul Haq on Sunday announced the squad sans Alam, however, with five players receiving maiden Test call-ups. When asked why he wasn’t picked from the 25-man initial Test camp, Alam said on Monday: “I don’t know the answer to this; this has been happening forever. However, a player’s job is to perform, stay fit, and wait to be rewarded.” He continued: “As far as selection is concerned, the national selection committee can answer why I wasn’t picked. As a player I am leaving no stones unturned.” Alam was seen training in a different kit than the others during the training camp for the tour, but he negated any view of discrimination. “Coach, management, support staff and all the players were nice to me. As far as the old kit is concerned, all the players are playing in the national team so they had the new kits. I had the old kit with me so I was wearing that, but I was given a new one later.”

He also said that he didn’t see any signs of discomfort with him being in the camp. “I didn’t see any wrong gesture from anyone that I am an outsider. The camp was good. We all worked hard and enjoyed it. We all benefited from it and the team which is going on the tour will also benefit from it.” Alam, despite having a historic average in domestic cricket, hasn’t been able to break into the national team even after the retirement of veterans Misbahul Haq and Younus Khan, but he is not going to lose hope. “Being hopeless is a sin,” he said. “I’ll do what I know best. I’ll work hard, try my best, practice more, and play whatever domestic cricket comes my way. My cricket doesn’t end here if I wasn’t named in the squad.”

The southpaw added that he was hurt when his name wasn’t announced but he was positive that better times would come. “It hurts definitely. But I can’t just leave cricket saying there is no use. Whatever I have today is because of cricket. I respect the game a lot. Ups and downs are part and parcel of this sport, but one needs to stay positive and wait for better things to happen.” Alam might be non-desirable to Pakistan, but he is planning to go to England to play league cricket apart from playing in the domestic competitions. “Pakistan Cup is coming. I will try my best to perform there. Other than that, I might go to England to play league cricket,” he revealed. Alam concluded by thanking his fans for their support. “Thank you so much and keep supporting me. I will keep working hard and Allah will not let you prayers go to waste.”

To put things in perspective: Alam has scored 10,742 runs in 145 first-class matches at an average of 55.37. In the only 3 Tests he has played, he scored 250 runs at an average of 41.66 with one century. Imam-ul-Haq has scored 1,792 runs in 34 first-class matches at an average of 34.46. Usman Salahuddin has 6,329 runs from 99 first-class matches at an average of 46.53. Saad Ali has 3,473 runs from 50 first-class matches at an average of 46.93.

Published in Daily Times, April 17^th 2018.