Cricket Fraternity Comes Up With Incredible Tweets As Fawad Alam Plays His First Test Since 2009
Updated - 13 Aug 2020, 06:37 PM
After waiting for more than a decade, Fawad Alam has finally returned to Pakistan’s Test XI. The left-handed batsman has returned to the side for the ongoing second Test against England at the Rose Bowl, Southampton. He has replaced Shadab Khan in the team.
Fawad Alam had scored a century on his debut Test against Sri Lanka in July 2009 but was dropped just two matches later and was not picked since before making it to the playing eleven for the ongoing game. His last Test came against New Zealand almost 11 years ago.
What was even more frustrating for him was that he failed to find a spot in the team despite scoring heavily in first-class cricket. He averaged more than 56 at first-class level including 34 centuries but still remained a Test outcast for a decade before returning to the Test squad late last year.
His absence of 10 years and 258 days is the second longest interval between Tests for a Pakistan player, and the second longest this century for players from all nations.
The all-time ‘record’ belongs to John Traicos, whose third career Test came for South Africa against Australia in 1970 just before their ban from international cricket. It was after an incredible wait of 22 years and 222 days, Traicos played his fourth Test, this time for Zimbabwe against India.
And with Fawad Alam making his Test return, the cricket fraternity came up with incredible tweets. While some praised him for his perseverance, some pointed at the things that have changed between his last Test match and his latest one.
Here are some of the reactions:
Last time Fawad Alam played a Test: Kohli, Smith, Root, Williamson weren’t Test cricketers, Misbah wasn’t Test captain, Shaheen Afridi was 9 yrs old, Instagram didn’t exist, latest iPhone was 3GS, Obama was first year in office, Zardari was President and PTI had won only 1 seat.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) August 13, 2020
The last time Fawad Alam played a Test for Pakistan (in November 2009) Gordon Brown was UK Prime Minister, Italy held the football World Cup, Novak Djokovic had only won one Grand Slam title (he now has 17) & Lewis Hamilton had one F1 title (he now has six). #ENGvPAK
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) August 13, 2020
Fawad Alam is back in the XI. He is making a comeback after 10 years. Missed 88 matches for Pakistan. #EngvPak
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) August 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/imPakistaniLAD/status/1293844134948724737
Fawad Alam finally makes it to the playing XI pic.twitter.com/MUNWLZsD4t
— Ahsan (@ahsanzawar) August 13, 2020
Most consecutive Tests missed between two appearances:
142 Gareth Batty (ENG)
114 Martin Bicknell (ENG)
109 Floyd Reifer (WI)
104 Younis Ahmed (PAK)
103 Derek Shackleton (ENG)
96 Les Jackson (ENG)
88 FAWAD ALAM (Nov 2009-Aug 2020)#ENGvPAK— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) August 13, 2020
Fawad Alam is the least experienced player in the current Pakistan side in terms of Test cricket. Interestingly, today’s playing XI didn’t even made their debuts when Fawad played his last Test. Moreover, 3 players in the XI hadn’t made their first-class debut either. #PAKvENG
— Sohail Khan (@Sohailsports) August 13, 2020
Since Fawad Alam last played a test match. Leicester City have been promoted to the Championship, lost two playoff semi finals, won the Championship, won the Premier League and reached the Champions League quarter finals… #ENGvPAK
— Rob Sutton (@RobSutton97) August 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/ramzan_a95/status/1293845635909718016
https://twitter.com/im_yash2307/status/1293853643221766149
Fawad Alam FINALLY got selected for a test match.
Sources tell me this is what happened between Misbah and Fawad Alam behind the scenes: pic.twitter.com/0jBhLZOggh
— Ismail (@thehalfspaces) August 13, 2020
Meanwhile, Pakistan are trailing the three-match Test series after losing the series-opener in Manchester by three wickets.
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