Fawad Alam sends prayers and best wishes for team ahead of World Cup

KARACHI: Pakistan’s out-of-favour batsman Fawad Alam said Monday he was hopeful of a better show by Pakistan in the 2019 Cricket World Cup, saying that being acclimatised there would help Sarfaraz-XI.

Speaking to Geo.tv here in the city, Alam said he did not regret the fact that he was not picked and that his best wishes and prayers were with the team picked for the mega-event.

“I am not disappointed. These all are players representing Pakistan. My prayers and best wishes are with them that they do well and bring glory to Pakistan.

"I will play when it is in my fate but, right now, my support is with players who are picked for the tournament,” said the 33-year old batsman who last played for Pakistan in 2015 and has since been waiting for the selectors’ call despite boasting an average of over 40 in the ODIs and over 41 in Test cricket.

Alam said the team comprised players who are mostly there for a few years and they are expected to deliver since they also know how the conditions would be in England at various venues.

“They had won the Champions Trophy in England and [they] are there earlier so it will also help them adjust with conditions,” he said.

“I hope [the Pakistan] team will cover minor mistakes before World Cup,” he added.

He also spoke of his peers Shadab Khan and Hassan Ali.

“Our bowling lacks a wicket-taking option in middle. I hope that Shadab gets fit before the World Cup. Shadab and Hassan Ali’s role will be crucial in middle overs. They did it in Champions Trophy, and I am sure they’ll do that in the World Cup as well.

"It is very important not to allow batsmen [settling] down because once the batsman has settled, then it becomes very difficult to get him out in death overs.

"Even top bowlers can struggle in the way cricket is being played these days,” he highlighted.

Alam said the number of T20 matches have changed the way ODIs are being played.

“Teams that used to play with an average of five or six are now playing at an average of around seven per over. Also, most of the team lack bowlers who can contain and, to add, cricket has become very friendly,” he said.

“We also need to finish games properly. Although we have hitters after top four batsmen. Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf and even Hasan Ali can do hitting,” he added.

Alam, nevertheless, was hopeful that Pakistan team under captain Sarfaraz Ahmed's leadership would be able to produce good results in the big event — scheduled to start on May 30.