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.
Shahid Afridi will lead Pakistan's campaign for the three T20s.
T20 Squad
- Ahmed Shehzad
- Mohammad Hafeez
- Sohaib Maqsood
- Shoaib Malik
- Umar Akmal
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Shahid Afridi (captain)
- Immad Wasim
- Anwar Ali
- Amir Yamin
- Sarfraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper)
- Wahab Riaz
- Umar Gul
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Saad Nasim
- Mohammad Amir
For the 50-over format, Pakistan recalled middle-order batsmen Asad Shafiq and Sohaib Maqsood in the squad while the left-arm quartet of Rahat Ali, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan and Amir will form the fast bowling attack.
All-rounder Imad Wasim also made a comeback to the team after recovering from an injury he suffered before the recent England series in October last year.
The 27-year-old will play a pivotal role in the spin department along with Shoaib Malik in the absence of Yasir Shah who is has been provisionally suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after failing a dope test.
The three T20s will take place on January 15, 17 and 22, while the ODIs will be held on January 25, 28 and 31.
ODI Squad
- Ahmed Shehzad
- Azhar Ali (captain)
- Mohammad Hafeez
- Shoaib Malik
- Asad Shafiq
- Babar Azam
- Sohaib Maqsood
- Zafar Gohar
- Imad Wasim
- Anwar Ali
- Sarfraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper)
- Wahab Riaz
- Rahat Ali
- Mohammad Irfan
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Mohammad Amir
