Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has opened up on middle-order batsman Fawad Alam’s non-selection in Pakistan team, despite consistently scoring loads of runs in domestic cricket.
Fawad scored a double hundred and captain Sarfaraz a century as Sindh grinded down Southern Punjab on day-three of the four-day day first-class ninth-round Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match at the National Stadium on Wednesday.
Fawad stroked his way to the fourth double century of his career making (211 from 309 balls) while Sarfaraz (131 from 174 balls) scored his first hundred in domestic cricket in five-years to put together a big partnership of 278 runs for the fifth wicket.
"Fawad's name has been discussed a lot [for national selection] as whenever a Pakistan side is chosen, the best players are considered,” said Sarfaraz in a press conference after the end of days’s play.
Fawad achieved another personal milestone when he also crossed 12,000 first-class runs, enroute to hid double ton.
"Fawad has never complained to me about not being selected for the national team, he keeps on performing and the best way to answer [your critics] is with the bat and Fawad Alam's best quality is that he keeps on answering with his bat," he added. "I would like to congratulate him for scoring a double hundred and also 12,000 runs as that is a big achievement."
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The wicketkeeper-batsman also said that Fawad’s persistence sends a good message to the rest of the cricketers in the country.
"One good thing about Fawad is that he keeps on persisting and scoring runs in every season, this is a good message for all cricketers to keep on trying and if they do that then no one can stop him from playing for Pakistan," he concluded.