Fawad returns to Test fold as Pakistan make two changes for Sri Lanka series

After a decade-long wait, Pakistan’s middle-order batsman Fawad Alam finally returned to the national side’s Test fold as he was named in the squad for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka on home soil.

Alam, who scored a century (168) on his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Colombo, last represented Pakistan against New Zealand in Dunedin, during his debut year, 2009, in the longest format of the game. He only has three Test matches under his belt, despite playing his maiden Test a long time ago.

The left-hander has been in red-hot form during the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and was justly rewarded with a place in the Pakistan team.

Alam followed up his double century in the previous round, against Southern Punjab, with a century against Balochistan, couple of days back, to bring up the 34th ton of his remarkable first-class career. It was the 34-year-old’s third century of the tournament.

“Fawad Alam has been performing for the past six years which is why he has been given a chance in the national side,” said Misbah during a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Pacer Usman Shinwari has also been brought into the side at the expense of rookie pacer Musa Khan, while middle-order batsman Iftikhar Ahmed has been dropped from the side.

“Musa is not part of the squad but he will remain with the side as bowling coach Waqar Younis wants to continue working with him,” he said.

Misbah was, especially, concerned about the bowling department of the side bearing in mind the retirement of experienced pacers such as Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir.

“Our biggest problem at the moment is bowling due to the departure of Wahab and Amir,” he said. “We have no option but to give new faces a chance and hopefully they will come good in the future but we need to be patient.”   

“Usman Shinwari has been drafted into the side as he has been part of the Pakistan cricket team setup 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, Naeem Shah and Shaheen Afridi," he added.

Squad

Azhar Ali (c), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imamul Haq, Imran Khan Snr, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah and Usman Shinwari.