Mohammad Amir named in Pakistan Test squad for England tour

Amir will be playing first Test since he was banned in 2010

Mohammad Amir. (AFP file photo)

ISLAMABAD: Fast bowler Mohammad Amir was named Sunday in the Pakistan squad for the upcoming four-test series against England.

Amir served half of a six-month jail sentence in England after pleading guilty in 2010 to charges of bowling deliberate no-balls at pre-arranged times to fix spot betting markets while playing for Pakistan in a test against England at Lord's.

The International Cricket Council also banned him from all cricket for five years. The ban was shortened by six months in exchange for Amir's cooperation with the ICC's anti-corruption and security unit.

Amir resumed his international career against New Zealand in January, but will be playing test match for the first time since he was banned in 2010 for bowling deliberate no-balls during a test match at Lord's.

Pakistan chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said he is hopeful Amir will secure the required UK visa before the team's planned departure on June 18.

"I hope we do get the required visa by next week," Inzamam said in Lahore. "In case Amir doesn't get the visa, we can replace him with a fast bowler from Pakistan A squad which will also be touring England."

Opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez, who missed the Pakistan team's two-week physical training camp at an Army college, was also included after being cleared of a knee injury. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah and left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Bababr were also declared fit.

Fast bowler Sohail Khan has been recalled to the test team since last playing the five-day game in 2011.

"If you see Sohail Khan's first class performance, he has done very well and that's the criteria of his selection," Inzamam said. "We've also asked trainers about his fitness before selecting him for the test matches."

The selectors have named 20-year-old opening batsman Sami Aslam, who made his test debut against Bangladesh last year, but was limited to just 47 runs in two test matches.

The Pakistan team will have a two-week conditioning camp in England before it plays tour matches against Somerset and Sussex. The first test begins at Lord's from June 14.

Squad

Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Zulfiqar Babar, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali, Imran Khan, Sohail Khan.