Fawad Alam's fitness score puts younger cricketers to shame

E-Paper | May 02, 2026

Out-of-favour cricketer Fawad Alam on Tuesday scored an impressive 19 in the Yo-Yo Endurance Test, proving to the selectors that even at the age of 32 he has plenty left in the tank.

With the national Test squad for the upcoming twin tour of England and Ireland to be announced in the next few days, fitness tests of several players were conducted at the National Cricket Academy today.

Alam has been frozen out of the national fold for the past few years despite his astronomical numbers in the domestic game; he last played for Pakistan in 2015.

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

On Monday, he underwent a rigorous fitness test, putting to bed another reason for the selectors to keep him out of the side.

For comparisons, captain Sarfraz Ahmed scored 17.4 in the same fitness test, whereas his 25-year-old understudy Muhammad Rizwan topped with a score of 21; Asad Shafiq, with 20, had the second-highest score.

Hasan Ali, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman — all much younger cricketers than Alam — scored 18 points each.

Alam, during the last domestic season, scored 570 runs in 10 first-class matches at an average of 40.71 and strike rate of 63.12.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Sport

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

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

Sarfraz hopeful for Fawad Alam's comeback

Pak-UK

Apr 10, 2018 04:23pm

1- Sami Aslam 2- Fakhar Zaman 3- Azhar Ali 4- Asad Shafeeq 5- Harris Sohail 6- Sarfaraz 7- Imad Wasim/Shadab 8- Fahim 9- Aamir 10- Abbas 11- Junaid/Wahab/Hassan

Recommend 0

Abc

Apr 10, 2018 04:28pm

We want him back.. He can become the backbone of the green team...

Recommend 0

Apr 10, 2018 04:30pm

Fawad Alam should be given a chance for the English tour. He deserves it. Inzi - You should consider him.

Recommend 0

Andy

Apr 10, 2018 04:31pm

@Pak-UK Fawad instead of Sami Aslam

Recommend 0

What about me

Apr 10, 2018 04:33pm

This coach doesn’t have cricketing sense. Emphasising on slogging and boundaries is not real cricket.

Recommend 0

Kash

Apr 10, 2018 04:44pm

its really between Fawad and Asad

Recommend 0

Abdul Jabbar

Apr 10, 2018 04:53pm

No doubt he is an outstanding batsman. Dropping him from the team is a folly.

Recommend 0

Analyses

Apr 10, 2018 04:54pm

Fawad Alam is much much better than the likes of Sami Aslam, Fakhar Zaman, Asad Shafeeq, Hafeez, and Harris Sohail in UK pitches. However since we only care about T-20s, we will not bother to take him in the team as losing against England in England in both tests and ODIs is a given.

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Apr 10, 2018 05:17pm

Well done and keep it up.

Recommend 0

US PAkistani

Apr 10, 2018 05:32pm

Fawad Alam is a gritty batsman and a street smart cricketer with an unorthodox technique. He could have become Pakistan's Chanderpaul if given a fair run. In England his head and heart would serve the Green Team in good stead. Plus, he is an excellent fielder. Hope Inzi and the selectors take note.

Recommend 0

Mirza

Apr 10, 2018 05:39pm

Fawad is accumulator of singles and two with boundaries in between. He does maintains a good strike rate of above 80 plus in one day internationals.

Recommend 0

Ibrahim S.

Apr 10, 2018 05:59pm

Prejudice against Karachi based players is nothing new.

Recommend 0

Pasha

Apr 10, 2018 06:04pm

Fawad is an unlucky guy who was never given a proper opportunity. A great talent being wasted. He should have done what Imran Tahir did; go to another country. They would have recognized his talent and given him the opportunities to play at the highest level.

Recommend 0

A Pakistani

Apr 10, 2018 06:36pm

And yet he's particularly not selected for the national team. He's an excellent batsman.

Recommend 0

Khurram Jadoon

Apr 10, 2018 06:43pm

Fawad can be a good 12th man - good for fielding only. His batting/bowling skills are sub-standard by any means.

Recommend 0

Bloo

Apr 10, 2018 06:44pm

Now that Misbah and Younis have retired fawad deserves a chance. If he doesn't perform he can be dropped but its unfair to not consider him despite his good record.

Recommend 0

Reza

Apr 10, 2018 09:13pm

Fawads average of 40 in ten domestic games is not that high, considering players always have a lower test average than domestic average

Recommend 0

Vivian Baldev Samuel

Apr 10, 2018 09:16pm

He should be good to fill the void left by Misbah & Yunus in the test side only. His inability to hit boundaries makes him tough choice for T20I and ODIs

Recommend 0

Jimmy

Apr 10, 2018 10:29pm

Hoping that he makes a well deserved comeback.

Recommend 0

Nasir

Apr 10, 2018 10:41pm

Pakistanis don't like merit. People like Fawad won't make it here; he is better off moving to Australia or South Africa.

Recommend 0

Syed

Apr 11, 2018 12:06am

Pls give him chance Inzi.

Recommend 0

Abdullah

Apr 11, 2018 12:11am

Fawad Alam is a quality batsman and has been left out of the team for reasons unknown. Need batsman like him to fill the void left after retirement of yunas and misbah

Recommend 0

Gambler

Apr 11, 2018 12:45am

Getting sick and tired of people saying that same thing over and over again. "Fawad should be back on the Team" Please....No Team even bothered to pick him in PSL because he is just your average batsmen who cant score at a good pace. Top fitness doesnt mean he is a good batsman too

Recommend 0

Alba

Apr 11, 2018 12:45am

That is the difference between a cricket player and an athlete. An athlete (in any sport) is always in excellent physical condition. Some cricket players run 10 kilometers a day and work out lifting weights. Some cricket players go to parties and lift cocktail glasses.

Recommend 0

Rehan Najam

Apr 11, 2018 01:39am

Now Inzi should not make any excuse regarding Fawad Alam's selection for the upcoming Ireland and England test series tour. Fawad Alam today already sounded a warning to the selectors that he has not finished yet.

Recommend 0

LOYAl

Apr 11, 2018 01:45am

He should be brought back. He showed his resilience and will be a key member in the middle order.

Recommend 0

Jameeluddin

Apr 11, 2018 02:05am

Selectors, please put your bias aside and get Fawad in the team. He is promising, energetic and talented.

Recommend 0

Abrar-ul-Haque, USA

Apr 11, 2018 02:23am

But why he is always 'out of favour'

Recommend 0

jaredlee67

Apr 11, 2018 06:54am

Many Fawad Alams have been ignored by this system. Just change the system!!

Recommend 0

pakistan

Apr 11, 2018 09:16am

@Ibrahim S. Sarafarz Ahmed, Asad Shafiq, Roman Raees belongs to Lahore??? Iam Karachihite by the way

Recommend 0

pakistan

Apr 11, 2018 09:17am

@Khurram Jadoon : Look at his record first

Recommend 0

Waqar

Apr 11, 2018 09:53am

The last line of the article tells it all why he is not included in the test or one day team. i.e. the 40.71 average in 1st class and strike rate of 63.12. Reduce these figures 15%-20% to pre-estimate his international figures considering the standard of our 1st class.

Recommend 0

Mudassar Siddiq

Apr 11, 2018 10:11am

@Gambler .Well said. A strike rate of 63 for e middle order batsman in modern day limited overs cricket and that too in domestic circuit easily disqualifies him for national side. And if at all it was a biasing against Khi players, then why on earth nobody in PSL 6 teams have selected him. Come on Fawad fans. He is good as a street cricketer only

Recommend 0

Saleem

Apr 11, 2018 10:49am

an average of 40.71 and strike rate of 63.12 in first class. What is special about it?

Recommend 0

UMERKHAN

Apr 11, 2018 11:31am

Inzi selects .from the players who have identical background.not from ALL over Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Simple Logic

Apr 11, 2018 01:29pm

Wow, look at all the great choices Pakistan cricket has ! Excellent depth and PSL really helping.

Recommend 0

Irfan UK

Apr 11, 2018 01:52pm

Fawad Alam was unfit and lazy in his peak never mind now so please keep him well away. Every few months we he gets promotions like this but he is not good enough for Pakistan team maybe a B team player.

Recommend 0

Zia

Apr 11, 2018 04:02pm

Hardluck for him but he was given chances and people dont even remember who he is.as he did not ave any impression.

Recommend 0

PIA_ZINDABAD

Apr 11, 2018 08:56pm

Why everyone praising Fawad Alam? if he is good then Kamran Akmal is also good. If you want to go with domestic stats then Hasan Raza is our Tendulkar.

Recommend 0

Gambler

Apr 12, 2018 12:42am

UPDATE: Fawad is included in the list of probables for Tests. He better do something this time and secure his spot.

Recommend 0

amir

Apr 12, 2018 01:07am

Excellent team player and played very sensibly when played for Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Faisal

Apr 12, 2018 04:07am

Last they asked him to hit 4s and 6s. Its strange that they are not paying attention that he can be a successful test batsman who maintains 'run a ball' ratio and plays steady innings.

Recommend 0

concerned citizen

Apr 12, 2018 09:28am

@Pak-UK : Sami Aslam , he is not even good enough to be on a club team and you are picking him for National Team. It is quite pathetic to see such lineup. Keep him away as we have plenty of new talent that can be inducted and we do need give chance to Fawad Alam he is far than Sami Aslam in every department. No more parchi players Mickey and bring back true talent

Recommend 0

King Voice

Apr 12, 2018 09:48am

Fawad Alam is the best player for number 5 position in batting order , but this position hold by shoaib malik (parchi player) if they bring him then malik would go out.

Recommend 0

asad

Apr 12, 2018 11:04am

@Ibrahim S. Cricket board want Punjabs team rather Pakistan Team.

Recommend 0

Neo

Apr 12, 2018 11:35am

@King Voice. But Malik can hit big boundaries.

Recommend 0

Fazza

Apr 12, 2018 11:53am

He deserve a place in the Test squad

Recommend 0

asad

Apr 12, 2018 12:08pm

@concerned citizen true talent u mean Only Punabi players, right?

Recommend 0

Karachi Wala

Apr 12, 2018 12:18pm

You have to be as good as Sarfaraz Ahmed from Karachi to replace Kamran Akmal from Lahore

Recommend 0

BAXAR

Apr 12, 2018 12:22pm

@PIA_ZINDABAD "Why everyone praising Fawad Alam? if he is good then Kamran Akmal is also good." One was given more chances than the other wasn't. People will always praise someone that you try to hide from them, and loathe the one that you try to expose unnecessarily. Kamran could have been an immensely good player if he was treated the same way as Fawad and Sarfaraz, and praised as well. This is human nature, common men always sympathize for a victim, not for a privileged one.

Recommend 0

Neo

Apr 12, 2018 07:57pm

@Karachi Wala and @Asad. Pakistan cricket team has achieved alot over the years. Not many cricket playing contries can say the same. PCB selectors are doing something right and yes they have done alot wrong and made mistakes in the past. As far as Kamran Akmal is concerned, I am not a fan. However, he was one of the top batsmen for the last two PSL tournaments. I would like PCB to have better systems in place to look after deserving players. We certainly have the talent.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa expands climate action with one Million Tree Drive and forest reforms

The province is turning policy into action through a series of large scale programmes aimed at rebuilding ecosystems and improving resilience against rising climate pressures.

Taptap Send, Arshad Nadeem partner to highlight Pakistan’s unsung champions

The initiative comes at a time when cricket continues to dominate national attention, often overshadowing achievements in other sports.

NexGen Auto (Nishat Group) to Introduce iCAUR in Pakistan

As one of Pakistan’s leading business groups, Nishat Group operates across key sectors including textiles, cement, banking, insurance, power and agriculture.