Mohammad Amir and Shahid Afridi look on during a practice session in Lahore on December 29, 2015. — AFP
LAHORE: Pakistan recalled fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Umar Gul in the 16-man squad for Twenty20 series against New Zealand later this month, chief selector Haroon Raheed announced on Friday.
Pakistan is scheduled to play three T20 and three one-day internationals against New Zealand, starting from January 15, 2016.
Amir will feature in the Pakistan team for the first time since the infamous spot-fixing scandal in 2010 that led to his suspension from the game for five years.
“But Amir’s inclusion is subject to clearance by the New Zealand immigration authorities,” said Rasheed.
Yesterday, Rasheed backed the induction of the 23-year-old fast bowler, saying “there is always a difference between normal and extraordinary players”.
“We are not undermining other players and forcing him [back] but there is always a difference between normal and extraordinary players. We are not axing anyone to bring him in. They are all part of the circuit and part and parcel of our planning,” Rasheed said while talking to ESPNcricinfo.
The chief selector said Amir’s all-round ability had given him an edge over other players.
Meanwhile, Gul, who last participated in the limited-overs game against Bangladesh this year but failed to impress selectors, has now again emerged on the scene by giving in extraordinary performance in the ongoing Quaid-i-Azam Trophy.
[HR][/HR]T20 Squad
UMAR FAROOQ
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Fast bowler Mohammad Amir has been selected in Pakistan’s ODI and T20s squads for the upcoming limited-overs tour of New Zealand. This is Amir’s first national selection since serving out his ban for spot-fixing in the Lord’s Test of 2010. His inclusion is subject to his visa coming through - given he has served time in jail for his role in the spot-fixing, obtaining a New Zealand visa might prove problematic - though the PCB is confident of not having issues on that front. Azhar Ali, who had earlier attempted to quit his role as ODI captain to protest against Amir’s return to the national radar, remains in charge of the one-day team.
Pakistan play three T20s and three ODIs in New Zealand from January 15. More to follow ODI squad: Azhar Ali (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sohaib Maqsood, Zafar Gohar, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed, Wahab Raiz, Rahat Ali, Mohammed Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir
*****T20 squad: Shahid Afridi (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Sohaib Maqsood, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Aamer Yamin, Sarfraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Mohammad Rizwan, Saad Nasim, Mohammad Amir
Re: Amir, Gul return as Pakistan announce squad for NZ ODI's & T20s
Cricinfo reports that MoHammad Amir has been approved New Zealand visitor visa. now, he will soon be seen in action during the upcoming NZ vs Pakistan ODI and T-20 series.
