Discarded Cricketers- Eyeing a comeback

Desperate to win back a place in the playing-eleven, all-rounder Fawad Alam is focusing on improving his bowling to become a permanent member of the team.

Alam, who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in 2009 two years after making his first One-Day International (ODI) appearance against the same opposition, was drafted into the side as a batting all-rounder but has been through a see-saw career and was also overlooked for the upcoming ODI series against West Indies.

The 25-year-old was quickly labelled only as a batsman after a few defiant performances including a Test century on debut. But the Karachi-born player, who has played 27 ODIs and 24 Twenty20s, has featured in just three Tests for Pakistan.

And while his batting performance has not been poor, Alam is not the first name that is put on the selectors’ table when the committee discusses the list of all-rounders since he has only taken four wickets in 27 ODIs.

“I am focusing on my bowling now to make a comeback in the team,” Alam told The Express Tribune.

“I’m performing well with the bat but better bowling could earn me the all-rounder’s slot.”

And the competition is less stiff with Abdul Razzaq not being in the team and Pakistan looking to bank on the young blood for the West Indies tour. The selectors have included all-rounder Hammad Azam for the ODI series but Alam hoped that he could become a regular part of the team.

“I’m confident that improving my bowling will do wonders for me in limited-overs cricket.”

Disappointed on snub

He expressed his disappointment on not being selected for the World Cup and the ODI series in the Caribbean.

“It’s natural to be disappointed on missing the World Cup.

“It’s a dream of every player to play in the global event but I’m looking to make a comeback. I’m upset at missing out on the ODI series as well especially after I enjoyed a good run in the domestic tournaments.”

Hopeful of Test return

After an impressive performance in the Pentangular Cup where he scored 534 runs in the four-day matches for Sindh, Alam said that he was hopeful of being part of the Test team, yet to be announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the West Indies tour.

“I’ll continue the hard work till I win my place back in the squad.”