Fawad Alam recalled to Test squad for Sri Lanka series

LAHORE: Middle-order batsman Fawad Alam has been recalled for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka after being discarded for more than a decade.

Fawad Alam played his third and last Test in Dunedin in November 2009. He replaces Iftikhar Ahmed who only managed 44 runs in four innings on the recent tour of Australia.

Fawad has been one of the most prolific and consistent batsmen in Pakistan’s domestic circuit, having scored 672 runs (average 56) in the 2015-16 season, 499 runs in the 2016-17 season (average 55.44), 570 runs (average 40.7) in the 2017-18 season, 699 runs (average 69.9) in the 2018-19 and 781 runs (average 71) in the ongoing 2019-20 season.

Fast-bowler Usman Shinwari who is yet to make his Test debut despite having played in 17 ODIs and 16 T20Is since making his international debut in 2013 has been selected.  Shinwari took 15 wickets in six Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2019-20 first-class matches at an average of just over 25.

Naseem Shah, the 16-year-old paceman who played in Brisbane kept his place in the Test squad. Naseem has also been named in Pakistan’s squad for the Under-19 World Cup, which begins on January 17 in South Africa.

The first Test will be played in Rawalpindi from 11-15 December, while the second Test will be held in Karachi from 19-23 December.

Squad for #PAKvSL Test series. pic.twitter.com/wglKwflMDe

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 7, 2019

Addressing a press conference annoucing the squad for the upcoming series, chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq congratulated Fawad Alam on his selection for the Test series.

“I want to congratulate Fawad Alam on his selection for the Sri Lanka Tests. It is a reward for his continued hard work, perseverance and dedication to the game. His selection is not only a lesson to the emerging cricketers but also a testament of the selectors’ policy of valuing domestic cricket and rewarding consistent performers.

“Usman Shinwari has been drafted into the side as he has been part of the Pakistan cricket team set-up for the past few years, which is backed up with his fitness, form and ability to bowl long spells at a good pace, which was evident during the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. I am sure he will make up a good combination with Imran Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi.

He said that Mohammad Musa will not be part of the squad, but will remain with the side so that he can continue to work on his bowling with Waqar Younis. The 19-year-old Muhammad Musa  remained wicketless in his Test debut in Adelaide.

The chief selector said they have followed the policy of consistency and continuity while picking the side for Pakistan’s first home Test series in over 10 years.

“The Australia tour was well below our expectations and has affected our pride. We prepared as best as we possibly could but just couldn’t convert those preparations into on-field performances. We are now seeing Australia as a huge learning experience and will make all out efforts to overcome the weaknesses that have been identified.”