Fawad Alam Deserves Chance To Revive Test Career: Ramiz Raja

Pakistan top-order batsman Fawad Alam has not played a single Test since 2009. He has however been included in the three-match Test squad for England series. Former Pakistan cricketer turned commentator Ramiz Raja believes Fawad Alam deserves a second chance to revive his career for the national team.

After making his debut in 2009 against Sri Lanka at Colombo, Fawad Alam played three Tests. He has scored 250 runs at an average of nearly 42 with the high score of 168 runs. Meanwhile, in the ODIs, he has played 38 matches and scored at an average of 40.25 but has not been a part of the national team since 2015.

Alam, however, has been a regular feature in domestic cricket and scored at an average of nearly 57. Ramiz Raja believes his consistency is the reason that he deserves to get another chance. Raja also added that Alam is 34 years old and age is not on his side but he has been waiting for a long time and should definitely get a chance.

“I think the way he (Alam) has performed consistently in domestic cricket, he deserves a chance now as age is not on his side,” Ramiz said while answering fans’ questions in a live YouTube session.

“I think they should play Fawad Alam because he has been waiting in the wings with the team. If they hold on for longer, age might start becoming a factor because your reflexes start to slow down. He should definitely get one chance in this Test series,” he added.

Raja also opined that Imam-ul-Haq could be tried at No.3 for Pakistan in the series against England. Paksitan will play a three-match Test series followed by as many T20I starting from August 5 with the tour concluding on September 1.

The tour marks Pakistan’s return to international cricket after a hiatus due to the pandemic situation.