Mohammad Amir back in Pakistan team after five-year ban

The debate over whether Amir should be allowed to play for the national team again had recently created a big divide in Pakistan cricket with former cricketers engaging in war of words.

Amir’s selection was his first since he served his ban for spot-fixing in the Lord’s Test of 2010. Rasheed told ESPNcricinfo he was assessed exclusively based on his cricketing skill. Ramiz, though, was not yet convinced that Amir was an automatic selection in the playing eleven, and was anxious that the ghosts of his infamous no-ball at Lord’s five years ago could return to haunt him. “He admitted his mistake we should back him now”, he added.

The Pakistan Cricket Board rejected Azhar’s resignation, and he remains the captain for the 16-member ODI squad.

Haroon also announced the comeback of experienced pace bowler Umar Gul to the T20 squad. Imran Khan and Mohammad Irfan have fitness concerns. Amir additionally all the time backed staff and did not lie like others did. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), though, is confident that they won’t have any issues regarding that. He then played Grade One matches and then the Bangladesh Premier League where he got 14 wickets in just nine matches at an impressive average of 12.64. “It’s very hard to get a second chance, so it’s a big thing from my country, officials and fans that they have given me another chance”, he said. “We are not axing anyone to bring him in”.

Waqar, himself a fast bowler, said Amir had plenty to offer. He is good fielder and can bat with surety. Unlike the rest who kept lying for two-three years! Afridi said that they were right in their place as team had suffered because of spot fixing.

Amir has a top-score of 73 against New Zealand in ODIs, and has a couple of fifties in first-class cricket as well. “That’s the big hurdle that some of these Pakistani guys really need to cross over”. “His recent form has been excellent and that’s why we picked him”. Unlike the remaining who stored mendacity for 2-three years!

Azhar Ali met the PCB chairman [Shaharyar Khan]. “We gave chances to new players but unfortunately they didn’t grab their chances”, he said.