Mohammad Amir has thrown his hat back into the ring for Pakistan’s squad selection ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to commence on June 1 in the USA and the West Indies. The 31-year-old left-arm pacer last represented Pakistan in a T20I against England in 2020. He retired from international cricket in December of the same year, citing mental strain as a primary reason.
Another huge boost for Pakistan heading into ICC Men's #T20WorldCup 2024 💪
Expressing his desire to don the green jersey once again, Amir took to social media to announce his availability for national duty, stating, “I still dream of playing for Pakistan! Life brings us to the point where, at times, we have to reconsider our decisions.” He revealed positive discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that led him to believe that the national team needed and appreciated his services.
Amir becomes the second player to take his retirement back after Imad Wasim
Amir’s decision to make himself available for selection comes on the heels of allrounder Imad Wasim’s reversal of retirement, further bolstering Pakistan’s options for the T20 World Cup. Despite an unremarkable performance in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he bagged 10 wickets in nine games for Quetta Gladiators, Amir’s past performances in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) have been impressive, with 43 wickets at an average of 14.39 and an economy rate of 6.50.
The timing of Amir’s comeback is crucial for Pakistan. Injuries have plagued their pace bowling department, with key players like Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf either recovering from injuries or not performing at their full potential. This opens up an opportunity for Amir to significantly impact the T20 World Cup squad.
Amir’s decision to prioritize international cricket also affects his commitments with his county team, Derbyshire, as he will not join them for the upcoming season starting on April 5. Additionally, his availability during New Zealand’s visit to Pakistan for five T20Is from April 18-27 underscores his commitment to national duty.
In a social media post, Amir expressed gratitude towards Derbyshire and head coach Mickey Arthur for understanding his decision to prioritize international cricket over county commitments. As he sets his sights on representing Pakistan again, Amir’s return adds depth and experience to Pakistan’s bowling lineup, injecting a sense of optimism ahead of the T20 World Cup campaign.
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