Inzamam clears the air on Amir, Sarfaraz selection rumours

Pakistan chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq cleared the air on the return of Mohammad Amir and Sarfaraz Ahmed in the national team in the future on Friday.

Inzamam said that performing in domestic cricket is part of the criteria for selection.

"Mohammad Amir was a good cricketer. He took retirement from international cricket. The doors of Pakistan cricket team are open for Amir like anyone else. Amir will be considered for selection if he performs well in first-class cricket,” Inzamam said while announcing the squad for the ICC World Cup 2023.

“The same is the case for Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shan Masood and Imad Wasim,” he added.

It must be noted that Amir had announced retirement in December 2020 after alleging the coaching panel of Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis of “ill-treatment”. He had cited “mental torture” by the management as the reason behind his decision.

Amir has not shown any signs of coming out of retirement despite repeated requests from his fans. He has said multiple times that Pakistan currently has many pacers as he continues to focus on franchise leagues across the globe.

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz is also currently not part of Pakistan’s plans in white-ball cricket.

Inzamam also announced Pakistan’s squad for the ICC World Cup 2023, which begin in India next month.

The squad will be led by prolific batter Babar Azam.

Pakistan made two changes to the squad which played in the Asia Cup 2023 with all-rounder Faheem Ashraf excluded and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris dropping down to reserves.

Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha.

Travelling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan

Comments

Submit