Mohammad Amir Returns To Pakistan Squad Ahead Of T20I Series Against New Zealand

The legendary left-arm pacer returns to national duty weeks after coming out of international retirement. Here are the details

Mohammad Amir makes his international return for the first time since 2020

Source : Getty Images

Pakistan Vs New Zealand T20I Series: Pakistan's legendary left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir has marked his return to international cricket after Pakistan Cricket Board announced the 17-man squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. The series starts from April 18 in Pakistan, with the first three matches scheduled to be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, and the remaining two to be played at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

 

Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir are back!

Usman Khan also makes the squad for the 5 T20Is 🇵🇰 #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/zPLAybgvJK

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 9, 2024

After severing ties with the Pakistan Cricket Board, the pacer announced his retirement from international cricket in 2020, but few weeks ago, the pacer issued a statement on social media that he is back and available to play for his country if needed. Alongside Mohammad Amir, veteran all-rounder Imad Wasim, who too had announced his international retirement due to similar reasons, has also made it back into the squad after making himself available.

 

Here's A Look At Records Of The Legendary Bowler, Mohammad Amir

One of the greatest bowlers in the history of cricket, Mohammad Amir has had an excpetional career, marred by fixing scandals and an untapped potential only god knows. In his prime, Mohammad Amir was completely unplayable and even after serving a five-year ban for spot fixing and match fixing, the pacer still delivered without a flinch.

Here's a list of some of the unique stats and iconic records of Mohammad Amir in international cricket:

• 2nd highest partnership for 10th wicket in ODI's (with Saeed Ajmal, 103 runs, against West Indies)
• Only half-centurion in the history of ODI cricket at 11th batting position
• 3rd youngest bowler to take 5-wicket haul in Test internationals
• 119 wickets in 36 Test internationals for Pakistan
• 81 wickets in 61 ODI matches for Pakistan 
• 59 wickets in 50 T20I matches for Pakistan

The stats might seem ordinary but the manner in which he took wickets, the insane line, bounce, swing, and seam position, speaks volumes for itself and has dismissed most of the greats of the modern era. Mohammad Amir's wicket list includes arguably the greatest batsman to have ever lived - Sachin Tendulkar, modern era great and arguably greatest ever ODI batsman - Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, 'Hitman' Rohit Sharma, and arguagbly the most dominant and greatest captain in the history of cricket - Ricky Ponting.