'I can hit sixes and play aggressive cricket'

Karachi, April 9: Pakistan's left-handed batsman Fawad Alam, who was left out of the World Cup squad despite an ODI average of 45, is now keen to reinvent himself and establish in the national team in all three formats of the game.

The Karachi-born Alam was considered unlucky to miss out on World Cup selection after scoring 948 runs in 35 One-day internationals at an average of 45.14 and his Test average is also an impressive 41 in three matches.

"It was disappointing to miss out on the World Cup but it is time to look ahead to the Bangladesh tour and we are all there to fully support the new captain Azhar Ali," Alam told the media in Lahore.

"A captain needs to be supported by his captain to be successful and we will support Azhar all the way," the left-hander said.

While Alam has been named in the ODI and T20 squads for the Bangladesh tour Azhar Ali was announced as the new captain to replace Misbah-ul-Haq who announced his retirement from ODIs after the World Cup.

In the present lot of Pakistani batsmen only Alam apart from Misbah enjoys a ODI batting average of 40 plus. Alam, who has been accused of playing slow, said he was working on reinventing himself.

"I can hit sixes and I can play briskly but I have to adjust according to the team situation," he said.

He pointed out that Younis Khan and Misbah had played the sheet anchor roles but now the younger generation of batsmen would have to prove themselves capable of replacing the two greats.

"I am clear about what my role is but also aware off the changing trend in limited overs cricket," he said.

Alam, who averages 56 in first class cricket with 23 centuries, said Bangladesh would not be easy opponents for Pakistan as their confidence was high after performing well in the World Cup.

"It is going to be a testing series for us but we want to make a fresh start and do well as well. So it will an interesting contest," Alam said.

PTI