Tainted Pacer Makes Comeback As Pakistan Name Squad For New Zealand T20Is

Star pacer Mohammad Amir and all-rounder Imad Wasim made sensational comebacks in cricket, as they have been named in Pakistan's 17-player squad for the five-T20I series against New Zealand. The five-match T20I series will start on April 18 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and conclude on April 27 at the Gaddafi Stadium, in Lahore. Amir and Wasim both reversed their retirement decision to make themselves available for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.

"Also named in the squad are all-rounder Imad Wasim and fast bowler Mohammad Amir. The two experienced campaigners had become available after coming out of retirement last month," the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement on Tuesday.

Imad has played 66 T20Is in which he has scored 486 runs at a strike rate of 131.7 and taken 65 wickets at an economy rate of 6.26. He last played for Pakistan 12 months ago at his home ground in Rawalpindi against New Zealand.

Amir, who last played for Pakistan in August 2020 at Old Trafford against England, has played in 50 T20Is in which he has taken 59 wickets at an economy rate of 7.02.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam also made a comeback as the captain of Pakistan in the white-ball formats and will lead the team in the upcoming series against New Zealand at home.

Haris Rauf, who was recently reinstated in Pakistan's central contract list, failed to make the cut as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury that cut short his Pakistan Super League (PSL) campaign.

Pakistan had also updated their coaching staff for the next assignment, with former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood taking over as head coach for the five-match series.

He will be joined by Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach) and Saeed Ajmal (spin-bowling coach), while Wahab