PCB chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq clarified that retired fast bowler Mohammad Amir can make a comeback to the national team only when he plays first-class cricket in Pakistan. Reports were circulating that Amir would return to International cricket by taking back his retirement.
Mohammad Amir retired from international cricket a couple of years ago but has performed consistently well in domestic cricket in Pakistan and the global leagues. The left-arm pacer has not represented Pakistan since 2020 after quitting international cricket due to reported differences with then-head coach Misbah ul Haq.
After the 15-men squad announcement for the ODI World Cup, Inzamam-ul-Haq explained to the media during a news conference held in Lahore that Amir was excluded from the squad because he had retired from International cricket. He said every player needed to play and perform in domestic cricket to make a case for themselves in the national team.
“Amir has been a great cricketer. He has taken retirement. If he wants to play for Pakistan, he will have to play first-class cricket and perform there. If he performs then he will definitely be considered. The selection door is not closed for any player,” Inzamam-ul-Haq said.
“The same is the case for Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shan Masood and Imad Wasim,” Inzamam added.
Mohammad Amir so far has played 36 Tests, picking 119 wickets, 61 ODIs to take 81 wickets, and 50 T20Is to take 59 wickets. The pacer was also part of the Pakistan team when they won the ICC T20 World Cup 2009 and ICC Champions Trophy 2017 and is currently playing in the Caribbean Premier League in the West Indies.
Shan Masood made a comeback to the 2022 T20I World Cup side as a middle-order batsman but the left-handed batter has scored only 163 runs in 9 ODIs, at an average of 18.11, and has hit just one half-century in the format which led to his exclusion from the squad for the ODI World Cup.
Imad Wasim has played 55 matches for the Pakistan team in ODI Cricket and his last game came against Zimbabwe in 2020 with the rise of Mohammad Nawaz, he was overlooked in the team selection in the 50-over format but is part of the Pakistan team in the T20 setup.
They have not won the World Cup since clinching their maiden title way back in 1992. Since then, they have made it to the final just once in 1999, and are still looking to win their second World Cup title and they will look to put forth a good performance in the upcoming mega event in India.
