After suffering a three-wicket defeat against England in the first Test at the Old Trafford, the Pakistan team think tank is considering a long waited inclusion of batsman Fawad Alam in the playing XI for the second five-day game starting on August 13 in Southampton.
Alam after notching more than 12,000 first-class runs at an average of 56.78, was knocking on the door of selectors for years. He was finally picked in the side in for home series against Sri Lanka last year, but never made in to the playing XI.
He was retrained in the squad for home series against Bangladesh earlier this year, but still never got the chance to ware Pakistan colours.
When, PCB announced the central contract of players for season 2020-21, he was not named in the list alongside season players like Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Amir. It was rumoured that the team management is considering other options rather than trusting the consistent performer of the first-class cricket.
However, due to COVID-19, the team management was asked to send an extended squad to England, and they once again called up trio of Amir, Wahab and Alam for the tough tour.
After the conclusion of the first Test, the team management are now willing to make one change in the squad and finally Fawad Alam is likely fill the shoes of Shadab Khan at number six position. Faheem Ashraf’s name is also in the consideration, but his chances of making into the playing XI are very slim.
The middle-order batsman’s inclusion can bring an end to his decade-long Test cricket drought as he last represented Pakistan in the longest format in 2009.
Earlier, former captain Wasim Akram had also said that the Men in Green should include Alam in the middle-order for the second Test against England.
“In the next match, you won’t find a turning wicket. You will play with one spinner and you will have to play with an extra batsman,” said Akram.
“If I was the captain, I would include Fawad Alam in the middle order,” he added.
After winning the first Test by three wickets, in spectacular fashion, England are looking to complete their first series win over Pakistan in 10 years with victory in the second Test.