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Out-of-favour cricketer Fawad Alam has refused to criticise or even appear the slightest bit peeved at the selectors for keeping him out of the national team yet again.
The 32-year-old batsman, who was part of a recent national camp and scored an impressive 19 in the Yo-Yo Endurance, again failed to make the national team squad for the tours of England and Ireland, as the selection committee instead chose uncapped Imamul Haq, who also happens to be the nephew of chief selector Inzamamul Haq.
When given an opportunity by Roznama Express to air his grievances, Alam declined, instead opting to take the latest snub in his stride.
"It (his non-selection) has been happening but it's all right," he said. "A player's job is to remain fit and keep on performing in whatever opportunities you get in the domestic circuit. These things pay off one day.
"As far as my selection is concerned, only the selection committee can answer that question. I'm just trying my hardest to do whatever is expected of a player."
Read: Fawad Alam's exclusion from Test squad leaves Twitterati baffled
When asked if his freeze-out is due to any run-ins he might have had with Inzamam, the veteran cricketer said: "Inzamamul Haq is a massive name of Pakistan cricket. Who am I, or anyone else for that matter, to be rude to or have a run-in with him. I have neither thought about it [being rude] nor is this how I was raised. Only he can explain the decision."
Regarding his relationship with head coach Mickey Arthur, Alam said: "He was happy with my fitness as well. He saw me bat and appreciated me as always."
Alam also shot down the theory that a spot-fixing or match-fixing connection could be the reason why he is in the good books of the selectors no more.
"Clarification are given when you've done something so I don't feel there is even a need for me to comment on this," he said. "However many times I played, my record was squeaky clean. I have never even thought about it so doing it is completely out of question. And if this were the case then I would not have been allowed to play domestic cricket either."
"Everyone has a mouth and an opinion and you can't stop anyone. They have the right to say whatever they want to. I can too [but I won't]," he added.
Alam's exclusion discussed in National Assembly
While Alam himself may not have questioned the selectors' call, the members of National Assembly's standing committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination did so on his behalf.
In Monday's session, the standing committee's members asked PCB Chairman Najam Sethi to explain that on what basis Inzaman's nephew Imam and limited-overs specialist Fakhar Zaman were preferred over Alam.
Sethi had been summoned to brief the committee on the finances of his brainchild, the Pakistan Super League.
Comments (53) Closed
One word that describes his exclusion: ethnicity!
Thisceratinly reks of favoritism and cronyism. WHY Ina ul Haq. how does his performance makes him a better choice than FAwad
Fawad is also a useful bowler and an outstanding fiflede
So much fo the manta of merit and fitness being the criteria for selection and the recent statement that they prefer players with all round capabilities (Coach M. Arthur)
What else can he say.
Such humbleness and patience can only be expected from someone who has be raised with values. Salute to you Mr. Alam. You truly are a hero.
Very decent response from Fawad. Disappointed in Inzamam ul Haq who stooped to low levels in promoting his nephew instead.
Great way to go
He took the higher road. Good for him, no need to respond to the corrupts. Inzi's ethics are limited only his beard. May be Arthur said 'Yes' for Fawad and Inzi didn't understand Arthur's English. Who knows, everything is possible in PCB especially when it is run by a journalist and not a cricketer.
One needs to be from Punjab and speak the language too if one wants to included in th Pak National Team
Good man Alam, keep on performing.
The selection of the team reeks of bias and nepotism, how long will merit be compromised in this country?
If this man has real talent than for the sake of himself and his family he should have gone overseas to earn a decent living before he is too old. Instead, he wants to keep playing domestic cricket. He ought to know that he will never be picked for the national side.
Your timing is bad because you have to compete with incompetent nephew of chief selector. Match fixing started when Inzamam was captain ... don’t forget that.
Shame on you Inzi. Give us one reason for not picking him up.
Excellent decision-you can't win against the nephew of chief selector on any account!
Prejudice against Karachi based players is nothing new.
the murder of merit on display. feel bad for fawad.
Fawad not getting selected is not ONLY Fawad's problem. It is problem for every Pakistani who considers Pakistan team as theirs, because team is playing in their name. If a Pakistani sees unfair and bias treatment by selectors, obviously they get hurt.
So: Selectors should explain to Pakistanis reason why they did not selected the obvious, and that explanation is not just to Fawad. To play for Pakistan is privilege of every Pakistani if they deserve on merit and also to get treated equally on merit. Whoever take away that right is taking away that right of a Pakistani, and is harming Pakistan, unity of Pakistan, Pakistanis emotion and interest.
Explanation required is: ... How can players who cannot even perform in domestic cricket similar or better than Fawad, and that also with big margin, got selected in team, when Fawad is left out. Why? Is Pakistani team, Selectors' personal team? ... Selectors should know that they are selecting Pakistani team and not their personal team.
Under the prevailing circumstances, this is the best strategy for him to pursue.
Nepotism rules.
A very positive gesture by Fawad.. Youngster's like Shadab should learn how to respect your legends..
Well, looks like he is a classy guy and has a good head on his shoulder. I hope selectors come to their senses and select him as he seems to be in form and is also one of the fittest cricket players in Pakistan.
Merit shall prevail. Fawad Alam has never been a match winner.
Alam seems to have matured more than Inzi might ever.
Gentleman!
Fawad either you are an angel or very stupid. I don’t know if you have ever tried to seek contract outside of the country. You have no future in Pakistan. Leave the country.
Pakistan zindabad
It is good to see the senate taking an interest. Someone had to question. Given Imam and Fakhars game play, they aren't exactly test players, specially fakhar.
Great response by Fawad as well, it is his educated and we'll mannered responses that make him the fan favourite.
Always a great sport and class above so many players that have played 100s of games undeservingly. Keep up the hard work and soon FA will be integral part of test team.
This guy is pure class
Fawad Alam is one of the best Left Hand batter and also Left arm orthodox spinner ,add his super fitness and smart fielding. He has a clear edge over Haris Sohail. He should not be compared with Saad Ali or Imam. Saad Ali is a very talented specialist batsman. Has all the ingredients to become a great one.
What other option does Fawad Alam has? If he speaks up he will lose whatever minor chance has for his future. There is a lobby working against Sarfaraz as well to remove him from the team.
Well said Fawad! No doubt you have been hard done by, in fact, its injustice, but your perseverance will soon see in the National team.
The Fault lies in PCB alone for his not being selected, at least he could have made a cut of Ireland or even PSL but, he was not selected, Seems like father's cricket issues are being taken on son.
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.
Fawad Alam is a great example for all to follow, do your best, introspect, keep on good work, hard work, learn do more good. But don't blame, disrespect or complain. Just keep on working hard and pursue excellence. I know it is difficult but he is greatest example of resilience!
This man is a great Warrior !
Good attitude. It’s a long tour and he’ll get his call up sooner than people think
Hats off to you Fawad. Keep a positive attitude and Inshallah you will succeed. It is a shame that the selectors have left you off the team once again. If their conscience are not clean then they will have to answer to the Almighty one day.
Good times will come for Fawad like Misbah. Good luck to him.
Such a shame that the selectors don't utilize his talents. Such a shamw. He has potential to be next misbah but won't be given chance. Also great attitude ... So refreshing when compare to how Umar akmal reacted to being dropped.
Fawad Alam is a gentleman and a true sportsman. Despite all the let down and poor treatment pretty much throughout his career, he chooses to stay focused, confident and not lose hope. Hats off.
Is he the next Misbah in the making?
Injustices in Cricket in Pakistan are not new. It goes back at least 40-45 years. It happened to me in 1975 when I was 20 year old from Hyderabad and played for Hyderabad, Sind under-19 before I was 16/17, then for Pakistan Universities at age 20 in 1975. I scored over 250 runs in 3 matches for Pakistan Universities against top teams such as National Bank with at least 10 Test players. Based on that I was selected in the Sind Team captained by Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad, Mohsin Khan. This was for the Pentangular that used to be played every year in Lahore. Despite my good batting record, I was not given a chance in even one game out of the four. I was an opener and had a better record as comapared to other openers. That was the last time I ever played cricket in Pakistan. I completed my engineering studies in 1976 and came to the United States in 1978. Had I been given a chance, I could have played with the top players in the Pakistan team, which was my dream.
There's no place for good humans in this competitive world my friend. Unfortunately, in your situation, you'll only hurt yourself by expressing so you've taken the right step.
He is an incredible guy.
Inzi was a substandard Captain and even worse selector
Inzamam should come forward and explain the reason why he preferred his nephew, an uncapped player, over a super fit and performing Fawad.
He is droped again by the pious Inzemam-ul-haq to select his nephew Imam-ul-haq who by playing through Habib bank average 27.75 score but Fawad Alam average in First class cricket is 55.37 but the problem with Fawad Alam is that he is not the nephew of the pious Inzemam.
Inzammul Haq is bias favor to his nephew and Provice Punjab, NA already taken action and called in standing committee, Inzi for retirement taken Rs.1 crore from PCB, his salary is Rs.18 Lacs even he have no education and can not speak even english, his side 3 selectors, Touseef, Hyder. Wasti all 3 are not famous players. looks dummy, yes sir. Inzi using his dictatorial selected his nephew ignoring Karachi base players, PcB or Najam sethi taken against Inzi and fire him.
Imam ul Haq has got no class and the time will tell this, Pakistani Cricket is suffering because of Punjabi selectors attitude, not willing to accommodate the best of Lot into the side but only with racists viewpoint,
Fawad Alam is a class act on and off the field. Shows his maturity and upbringing. His parents must be proud of him.
Nothing will happen in the standing committee. They will just try to give technical reasons which the standing committee members would not know about. One thing is sure, Fawad Alam will never be selected, whatever he does. I feel sorry for him.
@Lahoria You are right, he is never going to be picked because he is not from Punjab. That is why you say so, Mr. Lahoria?