JOHANNESBURG – Left arm Fast bowler Mohammad Amir has been restored to Pakistan’s Test squad for the three match series against South Africa.
Amir, 26, was left out of Pakistan’s squad for the recent Test series’ with Australia and New Zealand after coach Mickey Arthur questioned his hunger for playing the game. Amir had gone wicketless in four consecutive ODIs prior to the Australia series in the UAE and was sent back to Pakistan to rediscover some form.
In what is expected to be a fiery competition between the respective fast bowling units on quick and bouncy tracks in South Africa, the recall of Amir adds potency to a Pakistan attack that includes the crafty medium pacer Mohammad Abbas, who claimed a ten-for in the second Test of that series against Australia to set up a famous victory.
Among the other quicks are Hassan Ali and the 19-year-old left-armer Shaheen Afridi, who caught the eye of the Titans players in the recent Abu Dhabi T20 tournament.
Amir was left out of Pakistan’s squad for the recent Test series’ with Australia and New Zealand. Photo: John Sibley/Reuters
There are a few injury concerns for the Pakistanis; Abbas has missed the series with New Zealand with a shoulder problem, although he’s expected to be fit in time for the opening Test which starts at SuperSport Park on Boxing Day, while top order batsman Fakhar Zaman is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a knee injury, although he too is expted to be available for all three Tests.
The Pakistanis, who will be captained by Sarfraz Ahmed, arrive in the country next week and will play a three-day warm-up match in Benoni starting December 19.
The Pakistan squad is:
Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmad (capt & wk), Mohammad Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Hassan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi.