Muhammad Amir named in squad for New Zealand
Muhammad Amir has been named in Twenty20 squad for New Zealand.
LAHORE (AFP) - Pakistan on Friday named Mohammad Amir in its squads for three Twenty20 internationals and three one-day internationals in New Zealand this month, four months after the left-arm paceman completed his five-year ban for spot-fixing.
Chief selector Haroon Rasheed said: "Amir‘s inclusion is subject to his visa and he was available for selection after being cleared by the ICC and Pakistan Cricket Board. His recent form has been excellent and that‘s why we picked him," said Rasheed.
Since his ban was relaxed in April last year and completely lifted in September, Amir has been in tremendous form, taking 86 wickets in 21 four-day and Twenty20 games.
The three Twenty20s will take place on January 15, 17 and 22, while the ODIs will be held on January 25, 28 and 31.
Twenty20 Squad: Shahid Afridi (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Sohaib Maqsood, Sarfraz Ahmed, Anwar Ali, Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Aamer Yamin, Umar Gul, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Amir, Saad Nasim
One-day squad: Azhar Ali (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sohaib Maqsood, Zafar Gohar, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir
WAQAR YOUNIS EXCITED FOR AMIIR
Head coach Waqar Younis expressed excitement over the return of Mohammad Amir following a five-year ban for spot-fixing.
"I am very excited over his comeback," Waqar told AFP. "Amir is on the right path and has worked really hard in the fitness camp and I believe this kid has plenty to offer to Pakistan cricket," he added.
Waqar said Amir needed support.
"It may take time for Amir to attain the same zip which he had in 2010, so we should not pressurise him and support him so that he can get back to his best."
ALSO READ: Mohammad Amir gets New Zealand visa
Amir, then Test captain Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif were charged with accepting money in exchange for arranging deliberate no-balls during a Test match at Lord s in England in 2010.
The three players and their agent Mazhar Majeed were jailed by a British court in 2011. Amir, Butt and Asif were also banned from cricket for five years.
But in September this year the International Cricket Council lifted sanctions against the three players. Amir s ban was relaxed in January this year and he was allowed to play domestic matches.
At the time of the ban, Amir was tipped as one of the most talented fast bowlers in the world.
Since his return, he has taken 22 wickets in four non first-class games, while his tally of wickets in the qualifying rounds of the Quaid-e-Azam trophy stood at 34.
