Fawad Alam should definitely get one chance in the Test series against England: Ramiz Raja

Pakistan are slated to lock horns with England in a three-match Test series, starting next month. The Test series will be followed by a T20I series and both the expeditions will hold utmost significance as Pakistan will brace the field for the first time amid COVID-19 pandemic.

Top-order Fawad Alam was also slotted in when Pakistan announced the three-match Test squad for the much-awaited series. The top-order batsman, who hasn’t played a single Test since 2009, will be hoping to prove his worth with the willow in England.

Cricketer-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja also feels that Alam deserves a second chance to revive his international career. Raja said that 34-year-old Alam had been waiting in the wings for long to have a second crack at Test cricket. After delivering consistently in domestic cricket, Raja believes that the top-order batsman deserves a chance.

“I think the way he (Alam) has performed consistently in domestic cricket, he deserves a chance now as age is not on his side,” Ramiz said while answering fans’ questions in a live YouTube session.

“I think they should play Fawad Alam because he has been waiting in the wings with the team. If they hold on for longer, age might start becoming a factor because your reflexes start to slow down. He should definitely get one chance in this Test series,” he added.

After making his debut in 2009 against Sri Lanka at Colombo, Alam played only three Tests. He has scored 250 runs at an average of nearly 42 with a high score of 168. The left-hander’s last Test was against New Zealand at Dunedin in 2009.

Pakistan can slot in Imam as an additional opener: Ramiz Raja

Alam’s chances of paving his way back into the Test side increased after Haris Sohail had pulled out of the England tour due to family reasons. The first Test of the England-Pakistan series will be played at Manchester from August 5.

Ramiz also opined that Pakistan could experiment with three openers in the playing eleven and try Imam-ul-Haq at number three. According to Raja, the role of openers is very important in the traditional format.

“I think they can slot in Imam as an additional opener because in these COVID-19 conditions with bowlers not allowed to use saliva to shine the ball, I think the most important part would be to see off the new ball without damages and that is why I think we can try an additional opener with Abid and Shan,” said Raja.

“I think in England my experience is that in Tests role of the openers is very important and if they give a good start there is less pressure on the middle and lower order. If you suffer less damage against the new ball, it is significantly easier for the middle-order to bat in the middle-order,” he added.