Excited Fawad sees improvement opportunity playing under Misbah, Younis coaching

Star middle-order batsman Fawad Alam has expressed his excitement for touring England with Pakistan team after a decade, as he sees it as an opportunity to improve himself under Misbah ul Haq and Younis Khan’s coaching.

The left-hander, who played the last of his three Test matches in New Zealand, was last seen in Pakistan colours in 2015 One-day International (ODI) against Bangladesh in 2015.

In a video message released on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s social platform, the Karachi native termed England tour a bonding opportunity for players as they will spend most of the time together in a bio-secure bubble.

“Wearing the star of Pakistan is always a proud feeling. A cricketer plays first-class and domestic cricket to reach this stage of their career,” said Fawad. “The Pakistan team is like a family as we have to stick with each other for the next couple of months. We are trying to help each other as it will help the team improve and will also have a positive impact on individual performances as well. We are also getting the opportunity to learn about the players on individual basis.”

The Men in Green will play three Tests and same number of Twenty 20 internationals during the tour.

Fawad also expressed his excitement to play under the wing of Misbah ul Haq, the head coach and chief selector, and Younis Khan, the batting coach, after previously shared the dressing room with the due during their playing days.

“There are big names in our coaching staff. We learned a lot from watching them perform and we will learn more under their coaching. I shared the dressing room with Younis Khan and Misbah when they were playing. Now I have the chance to learn under their coaching, which I consider a blessing for me," he said.

The 34-year-old is also going to miss the spectators during the tour as the matches will be played behind closed door due to the Covid-19 pandemic.