Fawad Alam needs to 'hit more boundaries' to get picked, says Mickey Arthur

E-Paper | July 30, 2026

Pakistan cricket coach Mickey Arthur on Thursday said that Fawad Alam needed to play aggressively to be noticed by the selectors.

During an interview with DawnNews, Arthur said the left-handed batsman was invited at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) where the selectors got a chance to "look at his [Fawad's] techniques to see how many pulls and the types of strokes he has in his armoury, and how many boundaries he hits".

Also read: ‘I am used to this treatment’, Fawad Alam laments after being ignored yet again

However, he said, that the discarded player, who averages 40 in one-day internationals, needs to keep scoring runs and "hit more boundaries" in order to be selected.

“It was good to have Alam at NCA. We got to know about his fitness for the longer format,” he said.

The head coach insisted that he wanted "to make sure every individual improves their performance".

Pakistan's recent climb to the top slot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Twenty20 rankings was something to celebrate, however, he did not want players to lose focus, the coach added.

"Our T20 team is doing well and I think our ODI team is quite decent too," he admitted. "Now we need to get back to the top in Test cricket too."

Pakistan dropped to the seventh spot in the ICC Test rankings after getting thrashed by Sri Lanka in October in the first Test series after the departure of Misbahul Haq and Younis Khan.

Commenting on fast-bowler Sohail Khan, Arthur said that while he "admired the kind of work Sohail has been doing", the fast bowler was a decade too old.

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Malik

Nov 17, 2017 12:50am

I would ask Arthur to answer this question: "How many boundaries did Azhar Ali hit in test matches and what about defensive techniques by Misbah in the past? This is a baseless excuse given by the coach. Fawad Alam plays more aggressively than many Pak Players. Time to reintroduce him at test level.

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Zia Usmani

Nov 17, 2017 12:50am

If they reviewed his fitness for the longer format i.e. Tests why does he need to hit more boundaries to be selected? Someone should have asked this from the coach.

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MEHMOOD

Nov 17, 2017 12:52am

Mikey is an honest man.

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jaredlee67

Nov 17, 2017 01:17am

Lame excuse!

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Concerned

Nov 17, 2017 01:22am

For test cricket he is perfect as he is... PCB should not make excuses and give him a chance as well as his confidence back.

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Zulfiqar

Nov 17, 2017 01:23am

They should look at strike rate and ability to keep scoreboard ticking rather than boundary hitting ability. This is the mentality which let afridi to be considered a legend!

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Sid

Nov 17, 2017 01:40am

Great comments - many Pakistani batsmen in the past have had a slow run rate and that needs to change...

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Mujtaba Shahneel

Nov 17, 2017 02:00am

How many boundaries do Ahmed Shehzad, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq hit? Fawad Alam has outscored all of the in domestic cricket and even international cricket when he has been given a chance. He even gave ample example of his stroke power when he played Asia Cup.

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Asif Khan

Nov 17, 2017 02:18am

How many boundaries does Ahmad Shehzad hit? This is a case of clear discrimination against Karachi based players.

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Hashim

Nov 17, 2017 02:27am

Fawad Alam should be an automatic selection as a test batsman. No need fore boundaries. In oneday, we should compare his strike rate and average to other batsmen: I just checked for ODI Younus Khan: SR 75, average 31 Fawad Alan: SR 75, average 40 No comments.

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Amjad

Nov 17, 2017 02:35am

It is the average run rate that matters. You do not want another afridi style batsman.

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Sik

Nov 17, 2017 02:47am

Agree with coach

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Shahid

Nov 17, 2017 02:47am

Strange comments by the coach when Fawad Alam has a much better first class strike rate than most others who are hot favorites in coach's books. Fawad definitely deserves a place in the longer format. I wonder, If ten years of operating with the highest ever batting average in Pakistan history isn't enough then what else could be. I really feel sorry for Alam for being born where talent is seldom appreciated.

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Khanzada

Nov 17, 2017 02:54am

If you dont want to select a guy atleast find a better excuse!

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crime master gogo

Nov 17, 2017 03:09am

Spot on Micky! Fawad Alam is good at milking singles and doubles, but his boundary hitting needs a lot of improvement.

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Faisal

Nov 17, 2017 03:13am

With run a ball reputation ,would he not be handy for test matches? Why boundaries are needed?

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Yankee Cricket Fan

Nov 17, 2017 04:31am

All those outside of Karachi know that Fawad Alam does not have the game to play at the international level. It does not matter what anyone does at the domestic level. At the international level, it takes special talent to succeed. Fawad does not have that talent. He needs to accept that and move on.

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Talha

Nov 17, 2017 04:50am

Come on Mickey, you've been such a good coach please keep it that way. However, everyone can see your extra liking for Imad Wasim which is totally uncalled for. On the other hand, Fawad doesn't need to hit big sixes in the test format and that is where he suits best, has been wrongly ignored and needs to be now immediately added to strengthen our fragile test top order. Fawad currently averages over 50 in the longer format of our domestic and has the temprament to stand for hours and hours in test matches and tick the scoreboard slowly but surely just like Misbah, Younis and now Azhar Ali. Fawad scored 150 on his test debut against SriLanka in Srilanka and everyone knows Srilanka are strong at home. As far as Sohail Khan is concerned he can still be handy in T20s as he still bowls well in short spells and can hit big sixes too. However, our T20 and ODI teams are already well balanced so there is no space for Sohail at the moment.

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Imran

Nov 17, 2017 05:03am

Strange,.....What about those who though can you b ok in boundaries BUT can't handle pressure situations in tests and get out on cheaply. What happened against Sri Lanka? Isn't Fawad better than most in Tests? Runs in tests can be scored in singles and occasional boundaries can be hot so nothing wrong to include him in tests.

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Hashim

Nov 17, 2017 05:14am

And all the top 5 batsmen need to improve their strike rates in test format.

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Nov 17, 2017 05:31am

Take him in test cricket.... remember we lost test matches to Sri Lanka ? Just excuses....

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Lubna

Nov 17, 2017 06:28am

He is a good fit for test team

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Asif

Nov 17, 2017 06:49am

Well said Sir Mickey Arthur!!!

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Mutahhir

Nov 17, 2017 07:12am

Well, I beg to differ with the coach. Fawad Alam has been continuously scoring runs in donestic cricket for the past few years but still awaiting selection. On the other hand, on what criterion is Ahmed Shehzad picked ? His record for the last year or so is hardly impressive but he keeps coming back. Simply not fair.

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Junaid

Nov 17, 2017 07:14am

@Khanzada totally agreed. Fawad is best at rotating strike. Not everything is power. Look at ahmed shehzad who consumes so many balls without taking a run.

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Shafiq

Nov 17, 2017 07:28am

Very very bad excuses by coach for both Fawad and Sohail. I rate it as Arthur's worst interview. Fawad is a way better than mouth of these commercial team staff. It is run rate and average which matters, in ODI's and average and temperment in tests, one knows with even street or club cricket experience.

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Syed

Nov 17, 2017 07:36am

I have a lot of respect for Mickey.. but there is no denying that sometimes, excuses are made for dropping players like Alarm. He is a prodigy, the best batsman in our domestic circuit and has.shown that he hits boundaries as well.. he is definitely a far better batsman than Azhar Ali in terms of technical skills. No words can heal fawads pain and this statement will hurt him even more. Feedback is all good, but he needs encouragment and chances, not these outbursts

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Andy

Nov 17, 2017 07:57am

It is not a case of discrimination against Karachi (Asad Shafiq got a long rope despite remaining mediocre). There were reports of someone in PCB having beef with Tariq Alam, Fawad's father.

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Irfan Hasan

Nov 17, 2017 08:00am

Dear sir, has the same principle applied on Ahmad Shahzad?

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Nov 17, 2017 08:16am

This is one of the most stupidest comment ever from Mickey Arthur....

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JACKJONES

Nov 17, 2017 08:25am

I am shocked by Mikey Arthur's feedback about Fawad Alam. A cricket coach should be making technical comments such as, strike rate, does not play off side, etc. So if a player has over a 100% strike rate and does not hit enough boundaries he will not play for pakistan. Why would you not consider Fawad for the Test team after our pathetic performance against Sri Lanka. Regarding Sohail Khan, Mickey should not be making comments regarding his age.

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Sefal Khan

Nov 17, 2017 08:50am

@MEHMOOD what a lame excuse by Micky

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Asim

Nov 17, 2017 08:51am

Fawad Alam played run a ball in his last stint in odi team and even hit 6s when needed with a batting average of above 40, what's the point of having Misbah or Ahmed Shahzad like approach of tuk tuk bang when these players do not have ability to rotate strike and score at less than a ball .... and scoring boundaries in test cricket since when this became a criteria, rotating strike would be the best ability of the player in test cricket, which is missing in the current team. As for Sohail Khan and his age, just wondering why the same rule doesn't apply to Wahab Riaz ... it should all be about fitness levels that Misbah and Younis proved it even playing 40+, age is just a number in my opinion.

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syed

Nov 17, 2017 09:35am

and the coach should himself be super fit to lead the cricketers!! dear coach your favorite Amad who can only speak better english, how many boundaries he has scored?

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Imran

Nov 17, 2017 09:45am

What is the point of hitting two boundaries and get out after that like hafeez, Asad Shafeeq, shan masood. Even then I am not saying he cannot hit boundaries. He can hit sixes at will.

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Riaz Ahmed

Nov 17, 2017 09:58am

Mickey is a professional and hard charging no nonsense coach if he can find a great player he will back them...be it Alam or anyone else...Fawad is very agressive players but he needs to deploy all five gears not just three...Mickey doesn't care about any Pak politics in fact I am thrilled that villlages and small town are being represented in this team...I like Safaraz and the team he has led...in t20s and odis his performance as a player has sagged but as a captain he has delivered

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Zubair Ahsan Farooqi

Nov 17, 2017 10:38am

@Hashim The point is Alam bats low down in the crunch overs when the team needs boundaries and not rotation of the striker. Whereas younas comes at a time when an inning is to be constructed so the roles are pretty different and so is the batting technique .

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Shazad

Nov 17, 2017 10:44am

When a player (batsman) is making runs and at rate faster than most Pakistani batsmen, than what difference does it make if the batsman is making runs in 1, 2, 3 or boundaries? ... Does 20 runs in 25 balls with two four and a six any different than 20 runs in 25 balls with two four and remaining runs in singles? I think, if a player has to get evaluated, his average and SR )runs per 100 balls) is enough, and here, Fawad has no parallel in Pakistani cricket history. His first class average is highest by any Pakistani batsman in Pakistan history and his strike rate (runs per 100 balls) is better than all Pakistani batsmen whose first class average is 50 plus.

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ImHere

Nov 17, 2017 10:45am

According to Arthur logic, Afridi is a good test player because he can hit boundaries and sixes. And Alam is a bad test player because his strike rate is higher than most. In other words, it doesn't matter how fast and how much you score as long as you hit few boundaries. Arthur, I'm sorry but I have lost respect for you.

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Asim

Nov 17, 2017 10:49am

For now Alam doesn't hit enough boundaries, and needs to score more runs, Next year " He is a decade too old ". Well played Mickey !

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Sheryaar

Nov 17, 2017 11:02am

It seems pakistan politics have taken over Mickey arthur..what a lame excuse ...it seems he is too involved in some sort of corruption in PCB

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Nov 17, 2017 11:07am

@crime master gogo I would pick a guy who's good at milking singles over an inconsistent slogger any day. If he's getting runs at a decent rate and good average, what difference should it make if those runs are singles and doubles, or boundaries?

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Shazad

Nov 17, 2017 11:11am

Arthur should know that Misbah and Inzamam kept Fawad away from test cricket because they feared their value as batsmen would decrease. It was same reason Inzamam kept Misbah out of test in past and same happened with Harris. All about hitting boundaries are lame excuses. One can only say to Arthur that it is SR (runs per 100 balls) and Ave (runs per completed innings) Mr silly, it is not boundaries. Fielding also count and Fawad is better than any Pakistani fielder. Fawad played few test, still, let see his SR in test and compare with Misbah, Inzamam, Younis and Yousif (best of recent Pakistani batsmen). Fawad SR = 57 runs per 100 balls ... how about others? ... Misbah SR = 45 runs, Inzamam = 54, Younis = 52 and Yousuf = 52. So one can see that Fawad SR in test is better than any recent top Pakistani batsmen. As for first class average: Fawad = 55. Misbah = 49, Inzamam = 50, Younis = 50 and Yousuf = 48. So, here also, Fawad figure shows he is better batsman than any of the 4.

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Hyder

Nov 17, 2017 11:50am

Sir Ridiculous explanation offered by Mickey Arthur to justify the non selection of most prolific batsman in pakistan. If hitting boundries is the criteria then the batsmen statistics should be measured through boundries they hit, rather than runs they score in matches. How many boundries Azhar Ali and Misbah hit that merited their selection??? Thanks

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Hashim

Nov 17, 2017 11:53am

@Andy We need to know the name of that PCB official at least who is ruining life of a (possible) legend. I live in the west and wonder about this kind of discrimination back home.

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Faisal Jaan

Nov 17, 2017 11:56am

Come on, Micky! Just look at his First Class average, and his decent number in International matches. He scored a debut hundred in Test matches as an opener. He had scored a hundred in an ODI before he was dropped.

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Sagi32

Nov 17, 2017 12:04pm

I strongly feel that Fawad Alam is a test player. Agree with the Coach that our T20 and ODI Teams are perfect and needs not to be disturbed. Jahan hum Shaan Masood ko chances dey rehay hain why not a much potential deserving candidate.

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LOUDSPEAKER

Nov 17, 2017 12:18pm

Looks like Mickey Arthur is more interested in having a batsman who can hit the first two balls for 4s, third for a 6, and returns to the pavilion after hitting a skyer into the safe hands of a fielder standing some where very close to the boundary line.

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Ibneadam

Nov 17, 2017 12:30pm

@Malik Dear Malik if you do a simple math on the ODI careers of three players then you will find out that Misbah scored 36 % of his runs in boundaries. Azhar scores 40.5 % whereas Fawad scored only 25% runs in boundaries. In fact Fawad Bowndary percent is worse in all the batsmen who played in 38 ODIs in which Fawad played. I dont understand why people support him based on mere nubers that he accomulates in domestic matches that are played dead wickets.

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FACTS AND FINDINGS

Nov 17, 2017 12:31pm

Fawad Alam is not in the playing eleven for 5-day test because of his fitness, he is not a good choice for ODIs because he is not capable of hitting boundaries, lastly he cannot hit a sixer on the first ball in a T20, in conclusion he has to sit on the bench. Fantastic analysis by head coach Mickey Arthur.

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Naveed

Nov 17, 2017 12:38pm

understand his point about ODIs but why are boundaries a criteria for tests? he averages above 50 in a 10 year long FC career and that should give him a prime slot as a test batsman.

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ayubkhan

Nov 17, 2017 12:42pm

fawads strike rate is better than many others in the team ...so misbah was picked because he was Ik relative from mianwali ?

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asif

Nov 17, 2017 12:47pm

test match and boundaries: confused coach? one dayers and boundary? may make sense to some illiterate but not a coach of a national outfilt. strike rate should be the criterion.

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asif

Nov 17, 2017 04:59pm

What a rediculous comment from the Mickie arthur, Fawad alam has hit more boundaries than Misbah, Azhar, Shan Masood, and all these parchi players. Mickie needs to correct his statement as he looks like a dummy when he makes such statements like this, which has no merit what's so ever

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Mudasser

Nov 17, 2017 05:43pm

@Yankee Cricket Fan Move on, as in leave cricket ?

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Salman

Nov 17, 2017 06:15pm

People! Please accept the fact that Fawad Alam is not and has never been impressive. The guy struggles with fitness to begin with and is just an average batsman. Talent speaks for itself. Look at Hassan Ali and Shadab Khan for example. They make their point and a place in the team with consistent performance. Enough opportunities were given to Fawad already. Had he been any good, he would have been in the team. Please stop making this argument of his first class performance as we all know the level and competitiveness of the format in Pakistan.

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James

Nov 17, 2017 06:18pm

@Hashim Playing a fraction of the odis Younis has played and that too mostly in Asia does not make you even closely comparable to the great player.

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always learning

Nov 17, 2017 07:21pm

Surprising that he should be speaking on the Chief Selector's behalf. His selection of the eleven during the Sri Lanka series was suspect and probably resulted in the 2-0 loss. Boundaries didn't matter in either defeat, because we barely passed a hundred in the second innings of the first test and in the second test, the first five batsmen were out very quickly. Strike rate in tests Fawad Alam 57, SR Azhar Ali 42. Fours per innings Azhar Ali 3.9/innings, Fawad Alam 3.8/innings. So, please give us another reason and let the Chief Selector decide. Did someone put him on to it?

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REVERSESWING

Nov 17, 2017 07:25pm

Stroking the ball cleverly past between two fielders, taking singles and 2s is an essential part of the strategy of building a good innings even in limited overs format. Fawad Alam, George Bailey (Australia), Grant Elliot (New Zealand ) are good examples who has demonstrated these skills with perfection. On the other hand look at the performances of much talked about hitters like Chris Gayle, David Warner, and Corey Anderson, how they have thrown theit wickets at crucial times while attempting to hit the ball outside the boundary line. Shahid Afridi was an exception, we cannot expect AFRIDI LIKE batting from every one.

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JACKJONES

Nov 17, 2017 07:44pm

I am very disappointed at Mickey Arthur, Sarfraz and the selection team, particularly the chief selector. We are looking to rebuild our test team after our below expectation performance in the two tests loss to Sri Lanka. Besides the obvious mistake of not selecting another specialist spin bowler (not once but twice) we needed some consistency in our batting and there comes the solution, Fawad Alam. A few years from now the coach will say he is not included in the team because he is a decade too old. Not sure why pakistan team continues to select Ahmad Shazad, Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz and Babar Azam (he is ideal for ODI and T-20 but not Test). Mickey please provide constructive feedback to the players. Another significant concern is injury to the players which seems to be very consistent.

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Sarosh Ahmed

Nov 17, 2017 08:03pm

Totally absurd and baseless charge, dosen't make any sense, Fawad Alam is the fittest and best choice for Pak team, he is a fighter by nature, how come his talent and the game ha has had been showing is measured by the number of boundaries.He should be back in Pak team asap.

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what democracy

Nov 17, 2017 08:09pm

Pakistan should invest in all rounders like Faheem Asharaf who can bat and bowl...we desperately need Misbah younis and Shahi/Razaq which is missing in the current..Fawad is a utility player but he doesn't either of those models...they have to give a slot who is just a utility guy and can't make big impact upfront or backend..hard to justify...Imad can bowl and bat a bit...Fawad is not a great batsmen would never average 20 anywhere outside UAE

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Emad Chowdhry

Nov 17, 2017 09:12pm

Very true. He has trouble hitting boundaries, not fit for international cricket.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Nov 17, 2017 09:45pm

Fawad Alam is a better player than many other current green-shirts cricketers who are part of the playing XI both in ODI as well as the test teams. In fact, on the basis of merit and merit only, he must be picked up to represent his country at the highest level in cricket. Rest is up to the "movers and shakers" of PCB including the current South African coach.

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Patriotic Pakistani

Nov 17, 2017 10:19pm

@Sarosh Ahmed our fans need a wake up call fawad Alam is a very very good player an excellent play I should say but in a domestic circuit only I repeat the words domestic circuit he has played One Day International for Pakistan in the past and if you look at his performance it's only singles and two's and occasionally 3s and the Odd boundary that's not needed in the current game of international cricket because the game has moved forward very quickly you need active and proactive players who can represent Pakistan in the current era of world cricket currently we have a crop of players who have just done that minus the players of the past fawad Alam would be a good potential for test cricket but again he needs to up his game and change for the era of the current world cricket not playing the 90s so yes he's a very good player but at the moment not at the international level at where the world teams are doing at the moment sorry if I upset you but that is the truth and I think the Pakistan management is fully aware of this good luck

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Shahid

Nov 18, 2017 12:22am

Fawd Alam is best Pakistani batsman for a test side and also a very valuable player for one days.

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Shahid

Nov 18, 2017 12:25am

@Yankee Cricket Fan. the special talent you need is to be born in Punjab.

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Proud Pakistani

Nov 18, 2017 01:26am

Well Mickey, that's put very sweetly. Ppl talking here about Azhar Ali and Misbah shd knw that both these players can hit boundaries whenever they willed mayb they weren't courageous or stupid enough to play like Gayle or Afridi all the time. The problem with fawad is that he severely depends on his timings for a boundary as his physical stature and health does not make him a very strong lad to be hitting boundaries at will.

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Yankee Cricket Fan

Nov 18, 2017 06:09am

@Mudasser No, not leave cricket, but accept the fact that he does not have the talent to be successful at international level. But he seems to be very smart and mature individual, and so he could perhaps help groom others in becoming better and perhaps play for Pakistan. I would not be surprised if he became a really successful batting coach once his playing days are over.

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Fahim Kazi

Nov 18, 2017 08:05am

It’s the Sama Fawad Alam who scored century in his debut test against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka !

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Karachi Wala

Nov 18, 2017 10:54am

The only problem Fawad Alam has, it his background from Karachi

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always learning

Nov 18, 2017 12:08pm

@Salman based on what, Sir. Batting average, Strike rate, boundaries per innings, fielding? Please give why you say so, or else there is danger someone else will allude to your motives.

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manzoor

Nov 18, 2017 01:31pm

Give him a chance or two considering other consecutive failed players in test match.This is high time to try some experienced players like him after two requirement.

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incognito

Nov 18, 2017 03:23pm

Lala is the most favourite then

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jamal

Nov 18, 2017 04:48pm

Guess Mickey has not seen Fawad's stats. The guy has better Test and ODI average than most of the "senior" players in the team.

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Jasprit Bundmarah

Nov 18, 2017 05:42pm

@Karachi Wala Lame excuse Sarafaraz is also from Karachi than why he’s captain of Pakistan

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Waqas Hassan

Nov 18, 2017 05:43pm

This could be the most stupidest rationale I have ever heard for a player who averages over 50. Very unfortunate Fawad Alam.

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Sab se pehle pakistan

Nov 18, 2017 05:49pm

I disagree with Mickey Arthur. Fawad Alam needs to move to Lahore from Karachi. In addition he needs to start speaking Panjabi. These two things will ensure a spot for him in our national team. I know it is unfortunate but true.

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RRS

Nov 18, 2017 06:01pm

This is such a crap reason. Our test team cannot plan on the average of more than 2.5 per over. Who else other than Sarfaraz is playing faster than this. You need to come up with a better reason. He is a proven contender in domestic as well as at international level in test matches. And to be honest you need someone like him in one dayers as well to bring stability in middle order.

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Wasi

Nov 18, 2017 09:33pm

Fawad is not an aggressive player in ODI. He failed to perform against Bangladesh and even more embarrassing against Australia. People have to accept this fact and need to move on. Strike rate is quite slow at 75 and Mickey is right. You need to score at run a ball. Can't play 90s style cricket anymore.

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