Fawad Alam was the star of Pakistan's resilient fightback on the second day of the series opener against South Africa in Karachi. After being reduced to a perilous 27/4, Fawad stitched brilliant partnerships with Azhar Ali, Mohammad Rizwan and Faheem Ashraf to wrestle back control for his team. He registered the third century of his Test career – an incredible knock that defied the tough playing conditions and a quality bowling attack.
Years and years of neglect endured by Fawad from various selection committees will always be talked about whenever he achieves something special. History repeated itself as Fawad scored a century on his first Test at the National Stadium, having accomplished the same feat on his maiden first-class appearance on this very ground in 2007.
As the cricket fraternity celebrated Fawad's excellent innings, seething regret and anger was directed at those who kept the 35-year-old away from performing at the highest level. We jot down the top tweets from prominent figures capturing the mood following Fawad's majestic display:
Another 100 by @iamfawadalam25. So I'd like to know who will be answerable for not selecting him all these years?
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 27, 2021
Great determination! #FawadAlam
Congratulations @iamfawadalam25 on ur 3rd Test ??. Hope concerned ppl wil start considering RESILIENCE as one of the important TALENT required at international level other than Batting & Bowling. Stay strong ???? & keep Rocking pic.twitter.com/u3gJZ7VkFD
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) January 27, 2021
Another absolutely great knock by @iamfawadalam25 ????????
— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) January 27, 2021
No words to describe his commitment, dedication, determination and hunger to wear that star on his chest. This is the result of his consistent performance and hard work of 10 years at domestic.
Way to go Fawad ????#PAKvSA
fawad alam has a decade of missed hundreds to catch up on... #PAKvsSA
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 27, 2021
The entire Pakistan cricket system should be held accountable for keeping Fawad Alam out of international cricket. Honestly.
— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) January 27, 2021
Fawad Alam in some elite company. pic.twitter.com/8L7krcpeBX
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 27, 2021
What a gratifying story. Every time I see Fawad Alam score runs, my heart rejoices. 10 years denied him will never be returned, but all we can do is celebrate these apogee moments with him. Well played; #Fawadever??????.
— Ian bishop (@irbishi) January 27, 2021
Superb performance Fawad Alam!!! @iamfawadalam25 Brilliant Knock!!!! Not only justifying his inclusion but also raising questions why he has been out of the test team for so long. A great innings and hope he remains consistent. Keep Rocking!!! Very well done!!!
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) January 27, 2021
Gets to a 100 with a SIX!! the @iamfawadalam25 story gets more and more fascinating ???? #PAKvsSA
— Zohaib Hussain (@zeehu) January 27, 2021
You don't need to change your stance @iamfawadalam25, but the detractors might soon change their stance about you! Well batted ?? Always believed you have what it takes to perform at this level. #PAKvSA https://t.co/oSGQEDpcYK pic.twitter.com/6V1peX4JnW
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 27, 2021
Well played @iamfawadalam25 ????
— Bismah Maroof (@maroof_bismah) January 27, 2021
Great knock under pressure.#PAKvSA
Congratulations to @iamfawadalam25 for his brilliant Century. Great come back.
— Senator Shibli Faraz (@shiblifaraz) January 27, 2021
If you want to witness what a failure of our system really is watch @iamfawadalam25 playing like a champ that he really is. We have wasted 10 years of this incredibly talented athlete.@TheRealPCB pic.twitter.com/yDS0o9YLV2
— Fahad Mustafa (@fahadmustafa26) January 27, 2021
Awesome @iamfawadalam25 First Class debut at 18 in 2003; Test debut in July 2009; 168 in 2nd Test innings; dropped in Nov 2009; comeback in August 2020; Now two centuries in five innings ?? Only 8 Tests in 18 years ! What a humungous waste of talent. Who were the wise selectors?
— Vijay Lokapally (@vijaylokapally) January 27, 2021
Fawad Alam's innings-by-innings Test career:
— Andrew Miller (@miller_cricket) January 27, 2021
16
168
16
16
29
5
............................
............................
............................
.............................
.............................
.............................
0
21
0*
9
102
2
16
109#PAKvSA
When #fawadalam scores in any Pakistan match, we seem to be happier for him than the team in general. Shows how much we wanted this for him. Well deserved Fawad.
— Ebba Qureshi (@EbbaQ) January 27, 2021
Cricket players with the biggest intervals 1. #fawadalam 10 years 2. @DineshKarthik 8 years. Never give up on your dreams and goals. #PAKvsSA #PAKvSA
— Monty Panesar (@MontyPanesar) January 27, 2021