Mohammad Amir has returned to International Cricket as a 16-member Pakistan Squad including him has been announced on Friday for the upcoming Test Series against South Africa.
Pakistan will play three Test matches against South Africa from December 26, 2018 to January 15, 2019 at Centurion, Cape Town and Johannesburg respectively.
The Squad also includes the names of Mohammad Amir and Fakhar Zaman. Amir was dropped from the Side after Asia Cup 2018 over his failure to be upto the mark while Fakhar Zaman also couldn’t make for the New Zealand Test Series.
Pakistan Test Squad for South Africa Series includes Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Sarfraz Ahmed (Captain), Yasir Shah, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
The National Selection Committee headed by Inzamam ul Haq after consultation with Captain Sarfraz Ahmed and Head Coach Mickey Arthur announced the Test Squad.
“The best possible squad has been selected keeping in mind the conditions of South Africa. Three openers have been selected in the squad, where Shan Masood has been selected after the retirement of Mohammad Hafeez from Test cricket. Mohammad Amir makes a comeback in the team after regaining his form in the domestic cricket, giving strength to fast bowling attack that includes four pace bowlers. Mohammad Rizwan has been included in the squad after performing consistently in the domestic cricket and for Pakistan ’A’,” Inzamam ul Haq said.
Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Abbas, Shadab Khan struggling with fitness issues picked for SA tests purely on Mickey Arthur insistence. Capt wanted Mir Hamza but Arthur over ruled and went for Aamir. Arthur rules the team.
— waheedkhan (@waheedkhan) December 7, 2018
Mohammad Abbas whose shoulder injury caused his exclusion from the third Test against New Zealand has been declared fit for the South Africa Tour whereas Fakhar Zaman’s knee injury has also reportedly recovered.
Bilal Asif who picked up seven wickets in the three-match Test series against New Zealand has been missed out for South Africa Tour while in his place, Shadab Khan has been included in the Squad.
