KARACHI, Pakistan: Southpaw fast bowler Muhammad Amir was named in Pakistan’s Twenty20 and One-day International team for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.
Muhammad Amir, who served a five years ban and jail sentence for spot-fixing against England during the Lords Test in 2010, produced sterling performances on domestic circuit and Bangladesh Premier League to cement his place in the team.
“On his international comeback, Mohammad Amir will travel with the team subject to grant of visa by the New Zealand government”, Chief Selector Haroon Rasheed told reporter while announcing the teams for two formats
Pakistan teams are schedule to play three Twenty20 Internationals and as many ODIs against Black Caps during their 19-day tour.
First batch of Pakistan T20 squad is due to fly to New Zealand on January 10. Opening T20 will be played on January 15 at Auckland.
Azhar Ali was retained as ODI captain after PCB chief Shaharyar Khan rejected his resignation after his apprehension over the selection of Muhammad Amir.
Another Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul also staged a comeback in the national team after gaining full fitness and performing well on the domestic circuit. Saad Nasim was also recalled in T20 team after over looked for a couple of times.
“The team has been selected keeping in view the forthcoming ICC World T20, to be held in March-April 2016 in India, Haroon said.
“The selectors monitored the training and fitness camp to assess the current fitness levels and fielding standards. Imad Wasim is fully fit and his selection is likely to give greater balance to the team combination.
“Umar Gul too is back to full fitness and has bowled well in domestic competition and in the camp as well; we have opted to call him for his experience.
The Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shaharyar Muhammad Khan has approved the two 16-member Pakistan squads for the six-match T20I and ODI rubbers.
“While picking the squads, the team management and skippers of each of the two formats were consulted by the selectors, and all concerned gave their consent in this regard.
“With ICC World T20 slated for March-April 2016, the T20 team has been selected with a view to provide opportunities to everyone likely to feature in the squad for the global event. The team is a fine blend of experience and youth and the selectors believe that it would acquit itself well on the tour”, said chief selector Haroon Rashid.
16-member T20I squad:
Ahmed Shehzad, Muhammad Hafeez, Sohaib Maqsood, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shahid Afridi (captain), Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Amir Yamin, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Muhammad Rizwan, Saad Nasim, Muhammad Amir.
16-member ODI squad:
Ahmed Shehzad, Azhar Ali (captain), Muhammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sohaib Maqsood, Zafar Gohar, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Amir.
Source: APP
