Published: Apr 09, 2015, 04:04 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 09, 2015, 04:04 PM (IST)
Pakistan’s left-handed batsman Fawad Alam, who was left out of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 squad despite an One-Day International (ODI) average of 45, is now keen to reinvent himself and establish in the national team in all three formats of the game. Pakistan may finally host international games; Zimbabwe likely tourists
The Karachi-born Alam was considered unlucky to miss out on World Cup selection after scoring 948 runs in 35 One-day internationals at an average of 45.14 and his Test average is also an impressive 41 in three matches. “It was disappointing to miss out on the World Cup but it is time to look ahead to the Bangladesh tour and we are all there to fully support the new captain Azhar Ali,” Alam told the media in Lahore. Moin Khan admits hyped casino incident tarnished his reputation
“A captain needs to be supported by his players to be successful and we will support Azhar all the way,” the left-hander said. While Alam has been named in the ODI and T20 squads for the Bangladesh tour Azhar Ali was announced as the new captain to replace Misbah-ul-Haq who announced his retirement from ODIs after the World Cup. Mohammad Hafeez confident of clearing bowling action assessment test
In the present lot of Pakistani batsmen only Alam apart from Misbah enjoys a ODI batting average of 40 plus. Alam, who has been accused of playing slow, said he was working on reinventing himself. “I can hit sixes and I can play briskly but I have to adjust according to the team situation,” he said. Sohaib Maqsood ruled out of Pakistan tour of Bangladesh due to injury
He pointed out that Younis Khan and Misbah had played the sheet anchor roles but now the younger generation of batsmen would have to prove themselves capable of replacing the two greats. “I am clear about what my role is but also aware off the changing trend in limited overs cricket,” he said. Kamran Akmal: Discarding Umar Akmal not a smart option, doesn’t reflect well on Pakistan management
Alam, who averages 56 in first class cricket with 23 centuries, said Bangladesh would not be easy opponents for Pakistan as their confidence was high after performing well in the World Cup. “It is going to be a testing series for us but we want to make a fresh start and do well as well. So it will an interesting contest,” Alam said. Sri Lanka could tour Pakistan for cricket series: Maithripala Sirisena
