KARACHI: Several cricket fans have expressed their disappointment over the exclusion of left-handed batter Fawad Alam from Pakistan’s recently-announced Playing XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Fawad, who had been an integral part of the Green Shirts’ red ball team since his historic return to international cricket in 2020 after a gap of almost 11 years, has now been dropped from the national side for the first Test, scheduled to commence on Saturday.

The left-handed batter, who just had one century to his name before his iconic return, smashed four centuries in just 18 innings and strengthened his spot in the team.

The 36-year-old then had a series to forget when Australia toured Pakistan after a gap of 24 years in April this year. The left-handed batter could only manage to score 33 runs in two matches.

As a result of his slump, the left-handed batter has remained unable to earn a spot in the team’s Playing XI as Salman Ali Agha will be making his Test debut tomorrow.

Following this, several cricket fans have taken to Twitter and questioned his exclusion from the Playing XI.

A Sports Journalist questioned the take on backing struggling pacer Hasan Ali while dropping Fawad after failing just against Australia.

“Back Hasan Ali and drop Fawad Alam? Why this facility is not available to every player? Fawad only failed against Australia and got dropped? If there are decisions based on malice, then the destination will be difficult, friendship and make decisions out of malice, brother,” he wrote.

 

On the other hand, a cricket fan expressed his joy over Agha’s Test debut while also lamenting the fact that Fawad did not receive the support he deserved from Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

Another cricket fan questioned the wisdom of the choice after mentioning Fawad’s recent performance.

A cricket fan criticized Babar for motivating Virat Kohli, while, on the other hand, benching Fawad after two bad matches.

A number of netizens quoted Babar’s message for the former Indian captain Kohli “This too, shall pass. Stay Strong” while expressing solidarity with Fawad on being dropped from the national side.

READ: Agha to debut as Pakistan unveils Playing XI for first Test against Sri Lanka