2024-04-11 11:38:29
Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir and spin all-rounder Imad Wasim broke retirement to return to the national team. They announced their retirement soon after the Pakistan Super League (PSL). This time Pakistan’s selection panel gave them a chance in the national team. Earlier they were kept in the training camp of the national team.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday afternoon announced the squad for the five T20 matches at home against New Zealand. A team of 17 has been announced leaving out both Amir and Imad. Irfan Khan of Karachi Kings and Usman Khan of Multan Sultans got a place in the national team after their brilliant performances in the Pakistan Super League. They have been called to the national team for the first time.
Pakistan will play five T20 matches at home against New Zealand. The matches will be played on April 18, 20 and 21 in Rawalpindi. The last two T20Is will be held in Lahore on April 25 and 27.
Imad has played 66 T20s for Pakistan. Scored 486. Got 65 wickets. The left-arm spin all-rounder played his last T20 against New Zealand a year ago. On the other hand, Amir did not play for Pakistan after August 2020. His last match was against England at World Trafford. He has 59 wickets in 50 T20s.
Pakistan senior manager Wahab Riaz said about these two cricketers, ‘The decision to include Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir was quite straightforward. He was looking forward to their election. Haris Rauf’s injury and Mohammad Nawaz’s current form have been taken into consideration. Both Amir and Imad have the ability to win matches and we believe they will consistently deliver strong performances to bolster the team’s cause.’
Young cricketer Irfan Khan emerged as the emerging player and best fielder of the last season of PSL. The 21-year-old cricketer scored 171 runs at a strike rate of 140.16. In all, he scored 499 runs in 34 T20Is at a strike rate of 135.96. This cricketer played for Pakistan in U-19 World Cup 2020 and 2022.
Almost everyone knows the news of Usman Khan’s cricket tour. Usman is an Emirati cricketer of Pakistani origin. Usman, who caught the eye of the latest edition of the PSL, participated in the International T20 League this year as a local cricketer from the UAE. After scoring two centuries and two half-centuries for Multan in the PSL, he showed interest in playing for Pakistan. Usman also responds. Joined the team camp.
He was subsequently banned by the United Arab Emirates Cricket (ECB) for five years. Usman will not be able to play in any tournament organized by ECB for five years. That opened the door for him to play for Pakistan. Accepting everything, Usman is now waiting to fly the flag of his country. Reacting immediately after being called up to the national team, Usman said, ‘Being selected to represent the country is the ultimate dream and goal of any sportsperson. Today I am thrilled and full of joy that the selectors have given me the opportunity to participate in the upcoming series against New Zealand.
Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftekhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sayam Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan.