Twitter reacts as Fawad returns to Pakistan Test fold after more than a decade

Pakistan’s batsman Fawad Alam’s inclusion in the playing XI for the second Test against England at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton has created a new trend on the social media website Twitter on Thursday.

Fans were quick to express their excitement after skipper Azhar Ali announced Alam’s inclusion to the side, after winning the toss and opting to bat first.

The left-handed batsman last represented his country in the longest format on November 28, 2009. He returns to the side after a gap of more than 10 years.

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The 35-year-old was constantly ignored by selectors but remained in the spotlight due to his sparkling run in domestic cricket. He has faced bowlers on hostile pitches as well as flat tracks scoring 12265 runs in 166 first-class matches at an average of 56.78 with 34 centuries and 60 half-centuries.

His return is the result of consistent hard work and dedication to his craft along with being a testament to his drive to represent his country on the international stage.

Fawad Alam's 3911 day wait to play a Test match for Pakistan has come to an end. He is playing his first Test match since Nov 28, 2009.

He last represented Pakistan in a Test match 10 years, 8 months, and 16 days ago #ENGvPAK

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) August 13, 2020

Finally!! Fawad Alam going to play his first test after 11 long years. A story of hard work and never giving up! ❤️#PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/OOBv8oDVoj

— Haroon Abbasi 🇵🇰 (@HaroonAbbaci) August 13, 2020
 

Fawad Alam finally makes it to the playing XI pic.twitter.com/MUNWLZsD4t

— Ahsan (@ahsanzawar) August 13, 2020

Both Anderson & Broad are playing. This is Fawad Alam's game to prove Mickey Arthur wrong #CantBatAgainstAndersonAndBroad

— Naveed Nadeem (@naveednadeem91) August 13, 2020

This is not a drill.
Fawad Alam is back.

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) August 13, 2020

Fawad Alam comes into the Pakistan XI.

His FC record is stupendous! 🌟

Matches - 166
Runs - 12265
Avg - 56.78
100s - 34
50s - 60#ENGvsPAK #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/7jE9ccoWES

— Stat Doctor🩺 (@stat_doctor) August 13, 2020

The last time Fawad Alam played a Test for Pakistan (in November 2009) Gordon Brown was UK Prime Minister, Italy held the football World Cup, Novak Djokovic had only won one Grand Slam title (he now has 17) & Lewis Hamilton had one F1 title (he now has six). #ENGvPAK

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) August 13, 2020