'Favouritism' in PCB, reason behind my ignorance, says all-rounder Fawad Alam

Karachi: Out-of-favour Pakistani all-rounder Fawad Alam has said that one of the main reasons behind his continuous snub from the national team is "favouritism" within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The 31-year-old, who made his debut in international cricket in 2007, has played just three Tests, 35 ODIs and 24 T20Is.

Fawad, who has the highest batting average in Pakistan's first-class history (55.40), believes everyone is picked on the basis of their performance in the domestic circuit while he is ignored time and again

"There are a lot of reasons. I cannot enlist them on screen but favouritism is there," the Express Tribune quoted Fawad as saying.

"People think it is a rumour but it is a reality. Newcomers are inducted into the national team and are said to be the performers in the domestic circuit, but then where is Fawad Alam scoring all those runs? Is he performing in Bangladesh's domestic cricket? He is not selected on his domestic performance while everyone else is picked based on the same criteria,' he added.

The left-handed batsman, who last played international cricket in 2015 against Bangladesh, further said sometimes he feels that he is not destined to play for Pakistan.

"I don't understand this [why I am not being picked]. However, I, at times think, that I am not destined to play for Pakistan," he said.