Fast bowler Mohammad Amir returned to Pakistan‘s ODI team as selectors announced a 16-man squad for the five-match series against South Africa which starts later this month.
The 26-year-old Amir was dropped from the ODI team after picking up just one wicket in his last eight ODIs, including three Asia Cup matches in the UAE in September.
Amir has bowled decently in the ongoing Test series in South Africa and found his way back into the team.
“Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Abbas and Yasir Shah have been replaced by Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Hussain Talat, Usman Shinwari and Imad Wasim, respectively,” the Pakistan board said in a press release about the changes from the Test squad.
Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said the squad was selected with the 2019 World Cup in England in mind.
“While selecting the squad, we have tried to maintain consistency, taking into consideration player performances in white-ball cricket as well as looking ahead to the upcoming ODI challenges, including the World Cup,” he said.
There was no place for left-arm fast bowler Junaid Khan. Batsman Shan Masood and all-rounder Hussain Talat earned maiden ODI call-ups. Masood has been one of the few bright sports for Pakistan in the Test series in South Africa, showing great technique and control against a menacing South Africa pace attack.
The five-match series begins in Port Elizabeth on January 19, followed by games in Durban (January 22), Centurion (January 25), Johannesburg (January 27), and Cape Town (January 30).
Squad: Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain), Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Shoaib Malik, Usman Shinwari
