Heartbreaking to not be a part of team: Fawad Alam
The 29 year-old is disappointed at his persistent exclusion, however remains hopeful for the future
“It is heart-breaking to still be out of the team after making so many comebacks. There really is no other way to describe that feeling," said Fawad. PHOTO: AFP
Talented left-handed all-rounder Fawad Alam made his ODI debut for Pakistan in May 2007. Since then his international cricket career has gone through several highs and lows, and currently it seems to be in a slump.
In an interview with PakPassion, the twenty-nine year old expressed his disappointment at not cementing his place in the Pakistan cricket team, despite making numerous comebacks
“It is heart-breaking to still be out of the team after making so many comebacks. There really is no other way to describe that feeling.
“As you know, one has to work very hard to get into reckoning for selection in the national squad and then to be back to square one because you didn’t perform in a few games does hurt,” said Fawad.
“But this is part and parcel of being an international sportsman. I do believe that I will succeed in establishing myself in the international team eventually but the road to success appears to be a difficult one and my work is cut out in that respect.”
Fawad also spoke about his exclusion from the World cup team and said that he feels that had had performed well before the World Cup 2015; however, he was dismayed when he found out that he was not included in the squad.
“I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t saddened by my exclusion, especially when I did feel that I had made a good case for being part of that squad.
“Ever since that time, I have been waiting for another opportunity to represent my country. These are life’s tough lessons that one has to learn. I suppose one can say that this is my fate and move on,” said Fawad.
The cricketer also took on the critics who suggested that the all-rounder was better suited to Test cricket as opposed to the limited overs format. In his opinion, his performances in ODIs spoke for themselves.
“The answer to such criticism is to simply look at my record in List A games (50 over), I have an average of 48.1 and a strike rate of above 80 which speaks volumes for my abilities in the shorter formats of the game.
Read: Ramazan t20 cup: Fawad Alam takes Touchme to final
“People point to those two matches against Australia and forget my past record or they talk about my performance in the Bangladesh series as if I was the only one who did not play well, which is very painful.
“It is a bit of a no-win situation for me as who is to say that similar type of unreasonable criticisms will not be levelled at me when I play in Test cricket thus leaving me in no-man’s land,” said Fawad sadly.
Despite past let-downs, Fawad remains hopeful for the future. His aim is to become a part of the touring squad for the England and Zimbabwe series.
Read: Pakistan and Zimbabwe series dates confirmed
“I am looking forward to these series with the hope that I will be able to make the squads based upon my performances. I don’t want to worry about the what-ifs and what the future can bring but I am convinced that the Almighty will reward me for my hard work.
“Apart from these series, I am also interested in playing cricket in domestic leagues and tournaments around the world as they can also help in my career development.”
In an interview with PakPassion, the twenty-nine year old expressed his disappointment at not cementing his place in the Pakistan cricket team, despite making numerous comebacks
“It is heart-breaking to still be out of the team after making so many comebacks. There really is no other way to describe that feeling.
“As you know, one has to work very hard to get into reckoning for selection in the national squad and then to be back to square one because you didn’t perform in a few games does hurt,” said Fawad.
“But this is part and parcel of being an international sportsman. I do believe that I will succeed in establishing myself in the international team eventually but the road to success appears to be a difficult one and my work is cut out in that respect.”
Fawad also spoke about his exclusion from the World cup team and said that he feels that had had performed well before the World Cup 2015; however, he was dismayed when he found out that he was not included in the squad.
“I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t saddened by my exclusion, especially when I did feel that I had made a good case for being part of that squad.
“Ever since that time, I have been waiting for another opportunity to represent my country. These are life’s tough lessons that one has to learn. I suppose one can say that this is my fate and move on,” said Fawad.
The cricketer also took on the critics who suggested that the all-rounder was better suited to Test cricket as opposed to the limited overs format. In his opinion, his performances in ODIs spoke for themselves.
“The answer to such criticism is to simply look at my record in List A games (50 over), I have an average of 48.1 and a strike rate of above 80 which speaks volumes for my abilities in the shorter formats of the game.
Read: Ramazan t20 cup: Fawad Alam takes Touchme to final
“People point to those two matches against Australia and forget my past record or they talk about my performance in the Bangladesh series as if I was the only one who did not play well, which is very painful.
“It is a bit of a no-win situation for me as who is to say that similar type of unreasonable criticisms will not be levelled at me when I play in Test cricket thus leaving me in no-man’s land,” said Fawad sadly.
Despite past let-downs, Fawad remains hopeful for the future. His aim is to become a part of the touring squad for the England and Zimbabwe series.
Read: Pakistan and Zimbabwe series dates confirmed
“I am looking forward to these series with the hope that I will be able to make the squads based upon my performances. I don’t want to worry about the what-ifs and what the future can bring but I am convinced that the Almighty will reward me for my hard work.
“Apart from these series, I am also interested in playing cricket in domestic leagues and tournaments around the world as they can also help in my career development.”