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Fawad Must Take His Chances
By Tabrez Janjua for Stani Army in Pakistan Cricket
1,129 ViewsThere are some youngsters like Umar Akmal and Mohammad Aamer who burst onto the scene, and then you have the likes of Fawad Alam who show glimpses of their talent, stumble, and then try to get back up. There are many admirers of Fawad who have long since called for him to be a regular in the Pakistan team. It was clear Geoff Lawson liked him as he was always in and around the squad during Lawson’s stint. I for one have questioned in the past where Fawad would fit in and whether he was a better spinner or a better batsmen than what we already had in his position.
The contrasting fortunes of Fawad Alam (top) & Umar Akmal
The recent tribulations of our top/middle order, the dropping of Misbah and the resting of Younis, has given Fawad a chance to stake his claim. His opportunity came in the first Test against New Zealand, coming into bat in the important position of number three. Fawad scored 29 in the first innings and just 5 in the second. The fact that Pakistan lost the first Test by only 35 runs, or to look at it another way, a decent knock by a single batsmen, then the three that failed at the top, Manzoor, Farhat and Fawad, had to have been scrutinized much more closely.
Added to Fawad’s problems will be the return to the squad of Misbah Ul-Haq for the second Test against New Zealand. With the important Australian tour coming up it would be very easy for the selectors to go back to the tried and tested, even easier if Fawad’s performances fail to catch the eye. Even Umar Akmal was omitted from the 2nd ODI against New Zealand recently despite his obvious talent and very good record. With this strange logic of selection, Fawad needs to make a stronger, more consistent case for himself.
If you were to compare him to the likes of Umar Akmal and Mohammad Aamer, then you would have to say Fawad has yet to seize his chances. It remains to be seen whether Fawad retains his place for the second Test. I for one would retain him for the New Zealand series so that he is given a fair chance to redeem himself. I fear that our selectors will go another route though.
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December 1st, 2009 at 1:12 am
Stani
Excellent post!
I think Khurram and Fawad have already missed the opportunity.
But I do not agree with this policy of dropping a young player after one series or one match. We should also remember that it’s not easy for a youngster to adjust quickly in alien conditions they deserve a bit more margin then Malik, Misbah, Butt and Farhat.
However the selectors should ensure that before a youngster is selected he has enough exposure of overseas conditions and is technically ready for International cricket.
Surprisingly Azhar Ali, Umar Amin and Khalid Latif have toured more with Pakistan A and U 19 than Fawad and Khurram the performance of those guys was also much better than Fawad and Khurram and these three also toured with Pakistan A’s recent tour to Australia.
Then why Khurram gets a call a head of Khalid and Azhar I think it’s only because of age factor.
December 1st, 2009 at 2:28 am
Wasim
Thank you. Completely agree with your point about being patient with youngsters when they’re playing in alien conditions. It’s very interesting you make that point about overseas exposure. We have the perfect example in the team and he is quite clearly all the better for it – Umar Akmal.
There is this long tradition of Pakistan plucking talent off the streets. Umar on the other hand has been through the system as it were. The youth World Cups, the A-tours, have all served a purpose. How much a better play is he because of it? Well it is quite obvious because of the single minded manner in which he is taking his chances. Fawad can learn a lot from this. Compare and contrast the two innings Umar played in the first Test against New Zealand. The ability to play two totalling different innings and be successful for such a young age is frighteningly good. He came after Fawad and has no passed him by. I’d say Umar’s made enough progress to be considered a regular now as I doubt many will be debating his selection in the team for quite a while.
The battles faced by raw diamonds that are plucked from obscurity is clearly being shown by the fortunes of Sohail Tanvir. He had to take one step back to take two forwards. May be we need to identify earlier and keep more of our youngsters in the system that produced Umar Akmal.
December 1st, 2009 at 2:52 am
Stani
These Players have been going on A & U19 tours. But the problem is that since last two or three years they have been touring Bangla, Zimbab, SL and Kenya a lot. Our players don’t gain much from those tours they should arrange more tours to SA, Eng, Aus and SL.
The A team’s tour of Australia identified some real talent, Umar Amin, Azhar Ali,Khalid Latif, Sheryar Ghani, and Umar Akmal they all scored runs with Umar Akmal being the best of the lot. They selected only him from that tour and dumped everybody else that’s not fair all of them performed well.
So at least two more should have been on this tour.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:28 am
Intikhab Alam has hinted that Khurram, Fawad, and Farhat all three will be dropped in the next match.
If that happens then Butt, Faisal and Misbah will take their place.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:44 am
Wasim
Yes, just look what Umar Akmal did in Australia and look where he is now. I agree, a few more of the youngsters should have been given an opportunity from that A tour. I wonder what the selection criteria was.
I hope Fawad is given another go. He’s better at rolling up his sleeves and digging out a performance than Faisal Iqbal.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Ite Stani !
Good day for us today in NZ !
@new thread at mine !
I need to introduce u to HR. He is a friend of mine who is now part of the blogs management.A gr8 guy.
December 6th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Congratulations to team India and supporters on beating the Lankans and gaining the NO 1 test spot.
Pakistan has also leveled the series with a healthy victory. Asif way to go. Surely he is on track for man of the series award with 17 wickets in just 2 tests.
If I remember correctly this is the first Pakistani test victory since over two years. Therefore, it’s a cause for celebration as I don’t think Pakistan has won a test since such a lusty margin of time.
I wonder how YK is feeling…………
December 9th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
The pitch at the Napier venue has had a reputation of not being conducive to enforce an outcome. It 8 matches there have been 2 away victories and 6 draws. This suggests a draw is the likelihood.
However, in despite of those stats one has to remember the vast bowling strength both of these sides in recent times which can overshine the likelihood and be constructive in assisting a result which is what the supporters want. Also both of these sides have had a reputation of their batting flopping or collapsing. This further supports an outcome possibility. Pakistan has the winning momentum and the bowlers are in-form. I back their chances with every penny regarding the weather doesn’t cause too much interference. Moreover, a win will give the team a huge psychological boost before they go to Australia which I feel will be beneficial in the long term of events.
I agree with the PCBs decision to pro-long MY’S duty as captain. It is only logical. If no commitment was being shown by YK he has no right to lead the team or even be in the team for that matter. However, I wanted Shahid Afridi as captain of the ODI squad. I hope Afridi is captain at the 2011 WC. He is a good innovative person in the field who fathers a good team atmosphere. He is also the team talisman which can be argued a successful choice for captaincy.
However, as my friend HR pointed out yesterday Afridi will never be captain unless he is within the test team as well otherwise there will be means of selfishness to just captain the side in ODI cricket and not even participate in tests. It’s kind of like a punishment for Afridi if he’s not going to play tests. He needs to realise this.
December 12th, 2009 at 4:44 am
Wake up Stani:)
December 12th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Sorry mate! Been a bit snowed under lately