Pakistan recall forgotten Alam for SL Tests; Anderson back for SA tour

Pakistan recalled forgotten batsman Fawad Alam on Saturday for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, after a gap of ten years following the left-hander’s prolific form in domestic matches.

The 34-year-old hit a debut century against Sri Lanka but was discarded after playing just three Tests in 2009.

But Alam hit four hundreds in the current Quaid-e-Azam trophy -- piling up 781 runs -- and boasts a first class average of 56.84, 22nd highest in the world.

And chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq said Alam’s form is not spread over one year.

“Alam has been performing so well at the domestic level so we have recalled him for a chance and we hope he delivers,” said Misbah, also the team’s head coach.

Pakistan is smarting from last week’s 2-0 defeat — both by an innings — in Australia that left not only Misbah but new captain Azhar Ali under tremendous pressure.

Middle-order batsman Iftikhar Ahmed, who managed just 44 runs in four innings in Australia, and the teenage pacer Mohammad Musa Khan were left off the newly announced squad list.

The first Test starts in Rawalpindi from Wednesday, a match that marks the return of Test cricket to Pakistan after ten years. They were forced to play home matches in the UAE after the 2009 terror attacks. The country hosted international limited over matches between 2015-2019 although no team has yet agreed to play five-day matches.

Sri Lanka, who also played three one-day internationals and as many Twenty20s in Pakistan in September-October, arrive on Sunday.

Left-arm pacer Usman Shinwari, 25, is also drafted in the squad and may play a Test for the first time.

Meanwhile, 16-year-old pacer Naseem Shah is also retained despite being selected in Pakistan’s Under-19 squad for next month’s Junior World Cup in South Africa.

Yasir Shah and uncapped left-armer Kashif Bhatti will be the two spinners in the 16-man squad.

The second Test will be played in Karachi from Dec.19.

Pakistan squad: Azhar Ali (captain), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah, Usman Shinwari

Meanwhile, James Anderson was recalled by England on Saturday for their upcoming tour of South Africa after recovering from a calf injury, while his fellow bowler Mark Wood and wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow also returned to the squad.

The 37-year-old Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker, last played internationally in the first Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston in August before pulling up after bowling only four overs.

Bairstow, who has played 69 Tests, was left out of the recent Test tour of New Zealand but was named in the 17-man squad.

Fast bowler Wood is also back in the fold after sitting out of the 2-2 Ashes draw with a knee injury and side strain suffered during England’s victorious World Cup campaign.

“It is not predicted that Mark (Wood) will be available for selection for the earliest matches,” said England national selector Ed Smith.

“However, he will travel with the team and continue his rehab work with the medical staff on tour.

“There is no exact date given for his return, but the medical team is working towards him becoming fully available for selection during the tour.” Smith confirmed that off-spinner Moeen Ali remains unavailable after asking to take a break from Test cricket.

The opening match of the four-Test series starts on Dec.26 at Centurion.

Uncapped seamer Saqib Mahmood missed out after being part of the squad in New Zealand.

England squad: Joe Root (capt), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

Agence France-Presse