Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net, the discarded middle order batsman Fawad Alam talked about his aims regarding the Pakistan Champions Cricket League (PCCL) in Karachi and expressed his satisfaction at his domestic performances as well as his hopes of making an international return soon.

 by Nimra Ishtiaq

21st May 2012

Whilst the Pakistan team is busy preparing themselves in Lahore for the upcoming Sri Lankan challenge, discarded middle order batsman Fawad Alam is looking forward to represent his club, the Al-Noor Gymkhana in the Pakistan Champions Cricket League (PCCL) being held in his home city of Karachi.

Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net about the much-hyped Pakistan Champions Cricket League event, Alam stated “Rashid Latif bhai has organised such club cricket tournaments in the past as well. However, this is the first time that a club-level tournament in Pakistan is going to feature a number of foreign teams. It's really exciting for all the players and it should be an excellent event.”

The event, a brainchild of former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif, kicked off with an extravagant opening ceremony followed by an exhibition match on May 20, 2012. The Twenty20 tournament that offers a winning prize of $20,000 will witness 16 teams from Karachi and 17 teams from the other parts of the country locking horns with 7 foreign teams.

Speaking of his personal goals regarding the lucrative tournament, 26 year old Fawad stated “My aim is clear and it is to help my club win the tournament. I will also try to utilise these matches to learn and improve my cricket.”

A cricketer who divides opinions and remains the subject of contentious debates amongst the fans and the decision-makers, Fawad Alam has repeatedly outshone his counterparts in the domestic circuit. After leading the batting charts in the Pentangular Cup 2010-11, he also finished as the third highest run scorer in the last edition of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, just behind Afaq Raheem and Mohammad Ayub Dogar. While Raheem and Dogar recently earned a national call-up as a reward for their outstanding domestic performances, Fawad Alam still finds himself looking at international cricket from the outside rather than from within.

Alam's current First Class batting average of 57.43 is the highest ever for a batsman in the history of the Pakistan cricket and for a player whose unconventional batting technique draws heavy criticism from many, this is no mean feat. Expressing his satisfaction at his domestic cricket statistics, Fawad said “Thanks to the Almighty – I performed really well in the previous domestic season. I’ve been able to score a thousand runs in every First Class season I have played in the last 3 or 4 years.”

Fawad who last represented Pakistan in December 2010 against New Zealand when he scored 9 from 11 deliveries in a T20 International, continued “I always try my best to perform well wherever I play, be it club cricket, domestic cricket or international cricket and that will never change.”

Pakistan’s next assignment is the tour of Sri Lanka – a venue where Fawad Alam made his Test debut almost three years ago. Having been sent to open the innings, he smashed 168 in the second innings of the second Test of the series, becoming the first Pakistani to score a hundred on Test debut overseas. However, a couple of low scores in his next two Tests led to his omission from not only the playing eleven but also the selectors’ future plans with regards to Pakistan’s Test line-up.

Fawad – who averages 37.68 with the bat in One Day Internationals – has once again found himself in the international wilderness and not knowing when his next chance will arise to represent his country. However, he remains determined and optimistic as he expressed his hopes of donning the national colours again in the near future.

“I have never lost hope of an international return in the past, nor will I ever in the future. Whenever a player gets dropped from the team, his only goal is to make a comeback after performing well in domestic cricket. I believe in myself and thankfully I’ve been performing well on a consistent basis. God-willing, I will come back soon. I'm focussed and hopeful that another chance will come my way to represent Pakistan once again.”

While the selectors have introduced some new faces in Pakistan’s squad for the Sri Lankan tour, they have also opted to recall a number of tried and tested experienced players. Commenting on the selection committee's move to give former discarded players another opportunity to represent Pakistan on the international stage, Fawad stated “It’s good that some players have been recalled and given another chance. They have earned it through their performances in domestic cricket. I wish them all the best and I hope they will perform well.”

“It’s a step that shows nobody has been forgotten by the selectors and that those who perform well will get the opportunity to play sooner or later. I’ve also been performing well and I will try my best to continue to do that, so I can make an international comeback soon. I am working hard – the rest is in ALLAH’s hands” Fawad concluded.