Imad Wasim, a left-arm spinner, and Muhammad Amir, a fast bowler, were brought back into the 17-man Pakistan team for the five-match Twenty20 International Series against New Zealand after they had originally decided to retire from international cricket.
In cricket, Pakistan, these are fascinating times. The Pakistan Cricket Board has selected some intriguing players for the T20I series against New Zealand, following Babar Azam’s re-appointment. Following their decision to withdraw from international cricket, left-arm spinner Imad Wasim and fast bowler Muhammad Amir were summoned back to the 17-man Pakistan team for the next five-match Twenty20 International Series against New Zealand, which begins on April 18. Three games will be played in Rawalpindi and two in Lahore throughout the ten-day series.
Following his retirement from international cricket in 2020 to play in T20 leagues, Amir was found guilty of spot-fixing accusations and served a brief jail sentence in England. Disagreements with former coaches Waqar Younis and Misbah ul Haq led to his retirement from international cricket.
After a successful Pakistan Super League season in which his club won the championship, Imad, a spin all-around player, decided to come back from his November 2023 retirement from international cricket. This decision was made with support from the board and selectors.Former Pakistani star and team director Mohammad Hafeez did not view the developments favorably. Recently, the PC announcement.Former Pakistani star and team director Mohammad Hafeez did not view the developments favorably. Recently, the PCB fired him. “#RIP Domestic Cricket,” he posted on social media following the news.
The selection committee, which included Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Wahab Riaz, and Bilal Afzal, told the media that individuals who have regularly excelled have been rewarded.
They also brought in uncapped batsman Usman Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi, and spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Wahab supported Amir’s selection, which came under fire lately from former Test captain and analyst Ramiz Raja for his role in the 2010 spot-fixing incident.
According to Ramiz, he would not have permitted his son to rejoin the team even if he had been in control and had committed spot-fixing.
You can’t say such things about an individual, in my opinion, and Ramiz Raja’s remarks were really rude. Wahab stated, “Even our religion gives people who have been convicted of a crime a second chance.”
Furthermore, according to Wahab, Amir was summoned back from retirement because he was dominating in league bowling and the selectors wanted to balance the workload among all fast bowlers.
Given their selection status, Haris Rauf’s injury, and Muhammad Nawaz’s current form, it was an easy decision to include Imad and Amir.
“Both Amir and Imad possess undeniable match-winning capabilities, and we trust they will consistently deliver strong performances to bolster the team’s objectives,” Wahab went on to say.
Yousuf stated that during a recent discussion with all of the players, the selectors thoroughly expressed their selection philosophy and plan to all elite players, and there is perfect agreement within the group.
Wahab also stated that there is no internal politics within the Pakistan camp.
The head coach, in this case Babar Azam, and the captain, Bilal Afzal, the data analyst, are also members of the PCB selection committee, which does not have a chairman as per the new policy.
It’s interesting to note that Afzal served as the caretaker minister for coordination and planning in the previous administration of Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB’s current caretaker chief minister of Punjab.
The former minister was assigned to the selection committee last month, but it is unknown what his cricketing history is.
For the first time in Pakistani cricket history, the team was chosen by majority vote; previously, the chief selector had the last decision.
The New Zealand squad for the series is missing ten first-choice players, including Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Michael Santner, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Matt Henry, Will Young, and Henry Nichols, who are either playing in the Indian Premier League or English county cricket or have taken time off.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (Capt), Muhammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Imad Wasim, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Amir, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Irfan Khan Niazi, Zaman Khan, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Usama Mir.
New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi.
