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Former Test batsman Younis Khan on Sunday said, "The decision to not select Fawad Alam [for the England-Ireland tour] was unfair; he should have been given a chance," DawnNewsTV reported.
Referring to a point in the squad's history when senior players used to dominate the side and there was no room for junior cricketers to be appointed in their presence, he pointed out that now many players have retired and "this was the best time to select him [Fawad]".
Younis said he has played with chief selector Inzamamul Haq on many occasions, and if he were to speak to him on this matter then it would only create discord between them.
"Imamul Haq has a chance; he should perform well and prove himself," he said referring to the chief selector's nephew who is part of the 16-member team chosen for the tour.
Speaking of Fawad Alam, he said the player is in "good form and would have performed well during the tour".
"In the end, it would have been beneficial for the Pakistani side; Fawad Alam is [after-all] a Pakistani cricketer," he added regretfully.
Comments (29) Closed
Proud of Younis bhai for speaking in favor of Fawad. Was hoping that an honest cricketer like you would support Fawad in his tike of need. Thank you again legend Younis Khan.
What a disgrace, this man whom Pakistan made a star, is dividing the cricket team. Trust me we have youngsters more talented and patriotic you ever were and ever will be.
Why he himself was playing for this much old. I also feel that fuwad should be plying but let the people on duty for selection do this job and have a trust coz all glitter's are not gold. Pls have a trust on Inzi without doubts
Inzammam at least we do not expect this from you. You are not selecting the players on merit & determined to ruined Fawad Alam carrier as other members of pcB.
He is a Pakistani cricketer but not a Punjabi cricketer and definitely not the nephew of chief selector. This is the difference!
Cricket legend Younus Khan is 100 percent right. This was the right time and the high time to include a talented, dedicated, fit and in-form cricketer like Fawad Alam in the green-shirts touring squad to England and Ireland, based on merit and merit only. It's a pity as well as a big tragedy and a great loss for the entire Pakistani nation of 225 million brave men and women that the touring green-shirts cricket team representing them will be without a well-deserving cricketer like Fawad Alam.
Pakistan selectors should have selected Fawaad Alam along with Usman Shinwari.Seems not selecting both was not wise decision.
YK and Inzy dont see eye to eye. Inzy hasn't let go against Miandad. Miandad and Zaheer were the same. It's all fare and square in pakistan cricket.
Well said Younus Khan, the Legend
Basically the legend Younis is implying inzamam is incompetent and he is right.
Legend has spoken. Hope someone listens.
Curious case of Fawad Alam!!
" ... and there was no room for junior cricketers to be appointed in their presence, ...". Appointed? or selected?
Shame on the totally biased selection devoid of merit. Teams prospects seem really bleak!!!
Younis Khan is 100% right!
This "ism" has not just hurt cricket. It has hurt our country as well. Feel sorry for Fawad Alam.
very unbiased and fair remarks by YK...much more sensible cricketer than Inzi
@Umair inzamam used to squabble even when he got tackled in practice football. Verify this fact with Afridi or even Wasim bhai.Then look at his captaincy. This tells you he is not a professional person. Younis is bang on.
Inclusion of Fawad Alam in the team will increase the Fitness level competition with in the team and this is what Inzi bhai didnt like ( with lodz of sorries to him ).There are many players with in the team who don love Fitness Regimes , they are in the team for making just 50 or odd 100 that is it.
@F Check his fitness records and performance. You'll see.
@Hope Who r u to give the certificate of patriotism?
Fawad Alam seems to be having quite a lobby in Pak cricket and its "movers and shakers"t. He should be allowed to be one of the green shirts. After all in Pakistan's parchi culture he seems to be rich.
@Hope Totally ridiculous and uncalled for remark. YK's record speaks for him and he has nothing to provide to anyone and certainly not you.
@F what are you talking about? Have faith even when most deserving player is not selected? Why not criticize instead of keeping quite? Why not name the bad when you see it and just have faith?
Strange logic.
This is the time to see if Inzamam listen to great batsman suggestion. If Inzamam does not listen then it means he has ego issue.
Some one need to follow the Pakistani team's performance on the tour Imam ul Haq has been very impressive along with Harris Sohail and Asad Shafiq. Anyways the tour will be challenging for all the batsmen because of condition and techniques and Fawad Alam will be better of getting selected in next squad
Inzemam was never like a physically Fit player and doesn't like anyone to prove that fitness is one of the most important skills for selection.
@Vikas: It is nothing about Parchi behind Fawad but Parchi to exclude Fawad. Think yourself. Fawad has highest FC Ave (56) by any batsman in Pakistan history. If any other batsmen were better than Fawad, than why their average is lower than Fawad (by big margin)?
That is not the end. Fawad was first Pakistani batsman to make century on debut playing away and that also in second inning. He scored most runs in second inning and more than 50 percent runs in that match. He is middle order batsman but management wanting him to fail in test, so he was sent as opener. He made runs, but what happened? ... He got dropped soon.
In past, management made excuses that Misbah and Younis is playing, and though Fawad is much better batsmen than both, as Misbah and younis had much lower average than Fawad, still they were set in the team, and that was clumsy excuse. Anyhow, there is no excuse today and Fawad exclusion is just because of nepotism and provincialism, that is dividing Pakistan.
Inzimam will probably pick Fawad Alam against Australia in UAE because of the mounting protest but he will keep Imam ul Haq. Everyone has criticized except Ramiz Raja who says if he was selector he would not have picked Fawad Alam because of his batting stance!!