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The exclusion of 32-year-old Fawad Alam — who has a first-class batting average of over 55 — from the Test squad for the England and Ireland tour announced on Sunday left Twitter users and sports journalists in Pakistan searching for answers.
Alam, among the 25 players called up for the training camp recently held in Lahore, scored an impressive 19 in the Yo-Yo Endurance Test, ahead of skipper Sarfraz and much younger players Hassan Ali, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman.
However, he was ignored while a number of younger batsmen including Saad Ali, Imamul Haq and Usman Salahuddin made the cut.
Suo motu to bring Fawad back
While some thought only a suo motu by the chief justice could bring him back, others expressed surprise at the inclusion of four openers.
Domestic record
Some sports analysts also took the opportunity to point to his performances in the domestic circuit.
Most Twitter users criticised the selection of Saad Ali — Karachi based upper order batsman who was the highest run-scorer in last year's Quaid-e-Azam Trophy — and Chief Selector Inzamamul Haq's nephew Imamul Haq, both of whom have an average much less than Fawad's in the domestic circuit.
Despite it being one of his worse seasons in the domestic circuit, Fawad was the sixth highest run-scorer of the tournament with 570 runs at an average just above 40.
Meanwhile, sports journalist Zainab Abbas claimed the selectors had a choice between Fawad and Ali and decided to go with the latter.
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On DawnNews
Apr 15, 2018 06:40pm
Pure injustice. Inzi, shame on you for selecting Iman and continuously ignoring Fawad Alam.
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Apr 15, 2018 06:48pm
Sad news
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Apr 15, 2018 06:53pm
Fawad Alam definitely deserves to be in the green-shirts squad for the upcoming series in England and Ireland on the basis of merit and merit only. If he is once again ignored, omitted or sidelined, the great Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Islamic Republic of Pakistan must take-up this intriguing case of gross injustice on suo muto basis. Let true justice ring in this case of absolute injustice too.
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Apr 15, 2018 07:02pm
Happens all the time with karachi players
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Apr 15, 2018 07:21pm
Can we please forget Fawad and give chance to young peoples
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Apr 15, 2018 07:27pm
It takes a unique brand of shamelessness to take such decisions and justify them with such consistency.
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Apr 15, 2018 07:33pm
Interesting to see Inzi falling from grace so long after retirement.
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Apr 15, 2018 07:34pm
Apparently the Board COO and a BOD member from Karachi don’t want Fawad Alam to be part of the cricket team ever. These two guys have stuck around even as multiple board chairmen have come and gone. They’ve been putting pressure on all selection committees, current and past, not to select him. You have to understand the politics of the game... the team is not always selected on merit. Why do think Sarfraz or previous captains never mention Fawad Alam. Younis Khan tried hard to bring him into the side but ended up resigning from the captaincy... Afridi tried a bit as well but this board mafia is too powerful.
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Apr 15, 2018 07:35pm
Inzi. That's one less childhood hero for us to respect.
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Apr 15, 2018 07:37pm
You have to be born in Multan to get into national squad.Shame on u Inzy.If u cannot select on merit;leave your job.
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Apr 15, 2018 07:46pm
I am not a big fan of Fawad Alam but when the guy proofs his fitness better than so many youngsters and top player in domestic cricket. There is no harm to try him on this England & Ireland tour.
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Apr 15, 2018 07:47pm
A sheer bias against Karachi. Shame on you selectors.
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Apr 15, 2018 07:48pm
Punjab is everywhere. What is so strange?
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Apr 15, 2018 07:57pm
I've lost all respect for Inzi. Shame.
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Apr 15, 2018 08:06pm
Inzamam is a punjabi and that is where is loyalty lies.
Fawad Alam should look to play for other leagues and make money rather than waiting for this team of favorites to call him.
Look what happened to Asif Mujtaba , Basit Ali and even the great Javed Miandad towards the end. They all left with a bitter taste in their mouth. They are even after Sarfaraz and its a miracle that he has survived.
Shame on you Inzamam !
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Apr 15, 2018 08:07pm
Inzamam is an over-rated player and had his own biases. During his captaincy, he used to ignore Asim Kamal and give preferences to useless Farhat-like. And the most defensive captain ever for Pakistan, we lost World Cup 2007 because of him. His fitness standards were appalling always and now we can add "Nepotism" to his traits too. #Nepotato
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Apr 15, 2018 08:10pm
Its a pity. Inzi, Shame on you! The selectors have their own likes and dislikes. It looks like they have their personal grudges with Fawad Alam. No other reason could be perceived.
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Apr 15, 2018 08:13pm
Worst decision ever.
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Apr 15, 2018 08:27pm
Inzimam has selected his nephew at the cost of poor Fawad. Where is merit in cricket? Fawad should have born in southern Punjab to be in new Test team.
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Apr 15, 2018 08:31pm
Shame on Inzi, we forgets that this could also have been done to him.
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Apr 15, 2018 08:38pm
So what's new?
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Apr 15, 2018 08:40pm
@nafis .Can we fire you from your job and give a chance to a new unqualified candidate. Thats what you are suggesting.
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Apr 15, 2018 08:57pm
Why Sami Aslam was ignored when he has proven credentials in UK conditions. Ignoring Fawad Alam is a sin. Karachi player selected to keep people mouths shut justifying Fawad exclusion.
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Apr 15, 2018 09:04pm
Sad day for Pakistan cricket. Fawad your hard work will pay off inshallah
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Apr 15, 2018 09:05pm
Suppose they chose haris sohail over him. Haris will need to do quite a bit of bowling in the coming series. He was underused Vs SL
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Apr 15, 2018 09:17pm
Shame on Inzamam for such blatant nepotism.
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Apr 15, 2018 09:51pm
I think it is some thing else that has stopped the selector from including this super fit player.
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Apr 15, 2018 09:55pm
@nafis why? If Misbah can play till 40,Fawad can as well. It’s about fitness and in the latest PCB camp, Fawad results were great. He was fitter than almost all of the squad !
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Apr 15, 2018 10:00pm
There is conflict of interest and this is a case of nepotism. Inzamam should be removed as chief selector.
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Apr 15, 2018 10:03pm
Inzi favoring his neice?
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Apr 15, 2018 10:16pm
simply prejudice against Karachi!!
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Apr 15, 2018 10:17pm
Fawad, play for England, South Africa, or even India. No respect for you in Pakistan buddy!
Learn from Imran Tahir!
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Apr 15, 2018 10:47pm
Bring fawad alam... The batting will collapse in England if not in Ireland ..
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Apr 15, 2018 11:09pm
Injustice prevails, Inzi should be replaced. Iman is very ordinary, his selection is pure nepotism.
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Apr 15, 2018 11:21pm
Inzi picked an ODI team for tests in England with probably Azhar Ali and may be Asad Shafiq having test caliber. Alam would be #1 pick in batting but its amazing that so many inexperienced players are picked ahead of him!!!
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Apr 15, 2018 11:27pm
Nepotism at it’s best
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Apr 15, 2018 11:29pm
Fawad's exclusion is photo finish!
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Apr 15, 2018 11:31pm
@M. Saeed it’s called NEPOTISM
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Apr 15, 2018 11:35pm
Fawad can be a good player of a PING PONG but not a cricket, where along the skills (which probably he has upto some extent), muscle power is also required.
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Apr 15, 2018 11:36pm
I wonder how a guy with such slow reflexes and low IQ became the selector of national team. Javed Miandad should have been a selector instead.
I watched playing Alam several times and always wondered why he never became permanent member of the team. This is another example of open nepotism.
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Apr 15, 2018 11:37pm
I feel sorry for him who is working so hard at his age and has no one to listen to.. those who are chosen over him are very lucky.. hope they feel that too when playing in England.
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Apr 15, 2018 11:40pm
Inzi Sahib Justice not served sir. Islam teaches us to be fair irrespective of relationships.
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Apr 16, 2018 12:26am
Disappointed. Inzy preferred his own nephew over proven batsman.
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Apr 16, 2018 12:30am
Fawad, migrate to England or SA you will get a chance. Forget about getting a chance in Pak you already wasted most of your cricket life there
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Apr 16, 2018 01:38am
@Karachiite Don't give it an ethnic undertone everywhere. It's unfortunate and like me other Punjabis are also protesting.
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Apr 16, 2018 01:46am
There is injustice everywhere. Amazing to see Fawad's strong character to be patient along all of these tests. I pray that he turns out to be the best recongnized Pakistani batsman ever. If Misbah can blossom so late, then so can Fawad.
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Apr 16, 2018 03:21am
Whatever they may say about this team's potential, there is very little hope of settling for at least one draw
in the 3 test series. Regarding the opening line up, Azhar Ali is the only recognized batsman capable of handling bowlers like Anderson, Broad, and Wood.
Imam ul Haq will not be able to survive even two opening overs, Fakhar Zaman is a fine batsman but he
new to test cricket. England wickets has a long history
of helping fast bowlers. Let's see what they will do in this srtiesf
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Apr 16, 2018 03:38am
if your talented pro active attempts are made to keep you out i remember when sarfraz was constantly not being picked by waqar younis despite performing obviously the team suffers and matches which could be won are lost and moral collapses.
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Apr 16, 2018 03:50am
Shame on Inzi and also on Mickey Arthur..
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Apr 16, 2018 09:41am
@syed wasim haider Nobody leaves a relaxing job with a hefty pay. They select team on their personal likes and dislikes.
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Apr 16, 2018 10:36am
Inzimam is a biased fanatic and useless selector, Pakistan Cricket Board should ban domestic cricket in Pakistan if there is no use of players being selected on its merit.
There was no use of Usman Salahuddin nor Saad Ali, Fawad Alam should have been selected for being the leading run scorer in domestic cricket for years and for being the fittest player in terms of fittness.
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Apr 16, 2018 07:32pm
Remain optimistic Fawad Alam bhai, work hard. Good times will surely come to you; you deserve the best.
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Apr 16, 2018 09:47pm
This is all politics and Fawad Alam is paying a price for someone's jealousy against him.
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Apr 17, 2018 02:31am
This is the height of injustice. I can accept him not being selected for T20’s and ODI’s at a stretch but this guy is made for Test Cricket.
I have personally played a couple of matches with him, batting together.
I play as a hobby and no way near professional level, I was initially nervous batting with him (considering he is International Pakistani player) but oh boy, he was so supportive and down to earth. I was pleasantly surprised and throughly enjoyed my stay at the crease with this gem of a person.
Never give up bro, your time will come for sure. InshAllah
P.S. Imam Ul Haq’s selection over a seasoned professional (who also averages way more then Imam) is the joke of this year. Inzi you were my favourite one day middle order batsman but I am fast losing respect for you due to your biased selection policy.
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Apr 17, 2018 08:02am
Gloomy future for cricket in Pakistan so long as Najam Sethi is associated with PCB and Inzamam in the selection panel.
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Apr 17, 2018 10:28pm
Shame on Inzimam. You lost all respect.
Shame on the PCB for supporting nepotism.
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