Mohammad Amir back in Pakistan’s ODI and T20I squads

Left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir has been selected in Pakistan’s ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming limited-overs tour of New Zealand. This is Amir’s first national selection since serving out his 5-year ban for spot-fixing in England in 2010. 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 ODI team. Pakistan will play three T20s and three ODIs in New Zealand from January 15.

Veteran seamer Umar Gul also makes a comeback from injury. Gul, 31, who has taken 163 Test, 173 ODI and 83 Twenty20I wickets, has not played for the national team since April this year when he toured Bangladesh. He has been included in the T20I squad only. Middle-order batsman Saad Nasim, who also bowls leg- spin, has also made a comeback to the T20I squad. He last played for Pakistan in December 2014.

The debate over whether Amir should be allowed to play for the national team again had recently created a big divide in Pakistan cricket with former cricketers engaging in war of words. The most notable one involved former Pakistan captains Rameez Raja and Mohammad Yousuf. The two attacked each other using unrefined language on national television while debating the possible return of Amir. Yousuf was in favour of Amir’s return while Ramiz was totally against it.

Amir, 23, resumed his career in March playing grade two cricket in Pakistan after the ICC allowed his early return to cricket. He moved on to grade one and caught further attention in the Bangladesh Premier League where he picked up 14 wickets in nine matches at an average of 12.64.

Pakistan ODI Squad: Azhar Ali (C), Ahmed Shahzad,  Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sohaib Maqsood, Zafar Gohar, Emad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan, and Mohammad Amir.

Pakistan T-20 squad: Shahid Afridi (C), 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.