Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test Championship series: Fawad Alam returns after 10 years as Pakistan Test squad announced

Dispelling the impression of one-man-show, Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq Saturday announced the 16-member squad for the two-match home Test series against Sri Lanka starting from December 11.

Fawad Alam has made a comeback to the Test side after 10 years while pacer Usman Shinwari has also staged a comeback. Fawad played his last international Test match in 2009, One-day international (ODI) in 2015 and Twenty20 International (T20I) in 2010. However, his performance in domestic seasons remained impressive.

Fawad has replaced Iftikhar Ahmed while leftarm pacer Usman Shinwari comes in place of Mohammad Musa. However, Musa will remain with the Test squad and will continue working with bowling coach Waqar Younis.

Azhar Ali will lead the Pakistan cricket team in two Tests against Sri Lanka. The first Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from December 11 to 15 while the second Test will be played at the National Stadium Karachi from December 19 to 23.

The Sri Lankan cricket team is due on Monday (today).

Addressing a news conference, in Lahore on Saturday, Misbah said the allegations of one-man-show are wrong as he does not take decisions regarding team selection alone. "I think there should be clarity on this point, there are six selectors who closely watch players in domestic cricket and also do work with the players on their technique. They know all the minuses and pluses of these players very well. Their say is very important in the selection."

"Our thinking is that we need consistency in the team and that was the reason we didn't make a lot of changes for the series against Sri Lanka," Misbah said, adding: "There should be continuity so that players get confidence. We made changes where we feel it's necessary."

He said, "We have chosen a team with a view to getting back on the winning track. The team we have selected is one we think will be a match-winning combination.

Answering a question, Misbah said, "Not only cricketers but everyone (assigned responsibilities) would be held accountable; I have not magic wand but sincerely striving hard to put the team on winning tack."

When asked about accepting role as head coach of Islamabad United in PSL 2020, he said he made the commitment with PSL franchise before joining the board.

Misbah politely responded queries about team Pakistan dismal performance in Australia saying when there were senior players in the last Australian tour, the results were same.

Misbah said "I want to congratulate Fawad Alam on his selection for the Sri Lanka Tests series. It is a reward for his continued hard work, perseverance and dedication to the game. His selection is not only a lesson to the emerging cricketers but also a testament of the selectors' policy of valuing domestic cricket and rewarding consistent performers."

He said, "Usman Shinwari has been drafted into the side as he has been part of the Pakistan cricket team set-up for the past few years, which is backed up with his fitness, form and ability to bowl long spells at a good pace, which was evident during the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. I am sure he will make up a good combination with Imran Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Naeem Shah and Shaheen Afridi."

He said they have retained 14 of the 16 players who went to Australia. This indicates our consistency and continuity as we believe in first picking the best available players and then providing them sufficient opportunities to justify their talent. The retention of the 14 players also reflects the trust and faith we have in these players, who have the ability and talent to turn things around.

Misbah said, "The Australian tour was well below our expectations and has affected our pride. We prepared as best as we possibly could but just couldn't convert those preparations into on-field performances. We are now seeing Australia as a huge learning experience and will make all out efforts to overcome the weaknesses that have been identified."

Squad: Azhar Ali (captain); Abid Ali; Asad Shafiq; Babar Azam; Fawad Alam; Haris Sohail; Imam-ul-Haq; Imran Khan Senior; Kashif Bhatti; Mohammad Abbas; Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper); Naseem Shah; Shaheen Shah Afridi; Shan Masood; Yasir Shah and Usman Shinwari.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019