Pakistan Test cricketer Fawad Alam, who scored a gritty century against South Africa during the first innings of the first Test at Karachi, is thankful for playing for Pakistan at the home ground. Although fans and experts are questioning selectors for delaying his return to the Pakistan team, Alam wants to remain optimistic. He doesn’t want to blame anyone for not playing international cricket for 10 years rather wants to focus on the coming opportunities.
Fawad Alam made the debut for Pakistan in Test cricket in 2009 but after playing only two-Test series, he was dropped. After the gap of ten years in 2020, he returned to the Test side and played the first Test series against England. That tour was not a remarkable one for him.
However, the Pakistan team backed him and he travelled to New Zealand, the last tour of Pakistan. He scored an amazing hundred when all the players struggled to face Kiwi pacers.
Fawad Alam continued his exploits in the home ground, Karachi. After the early fall of Babar Azam and top-orders, he rescued Pakistan and made amends. He stitched a 94 runs partnership and scored his fourth Test century.
I am focussed on what my destiny has in store for me: Fawad Alam
Speaking at the end of Day two of the first Test, Fawad stated that he doesn’t want to blame anyone for missing 10 years in Test cricket. However, he has accepted that it was his destiny.
“Whenever I spoke to the media, I have never blamed anyone for not playing international cricket for 10 years. If it was in my destiny, then nobody could have taken it away from me. I am not thinking about the 10 years that have gone by, I am focussed on what my destiny has in store for me,” Fawad Alam said.
Fawad Alam opined that he wanted to capitalise on every opportunity given to him even in domestic cricket. He doesn’t think that the last 10 years were a waste for him as he worked hard on domestic cricket.
“I am looking to perform in whatever chances I get, even in domestic cricket as it’s my bread and butter. I am not thinking on the lines that I have lost 10 years. I don’t think about the 10 years going to waste. How can I say all the runs and records made in domestic cricket went in vain? I thank the almighty for whatever I have achieved and the respect that I have earned.”
“I had my heart set on playing a Test match at my home ground in Karachi. This was also my Test debut in Pakistan and I had asked the Almighty to give me respect at my home venue and he did that,” Fawad Alam added.
After his century, Pakistan propelled to 378 runs with the support of Azhar Ali and Faheem Ashraf half-centuries in the first innings.