Pakistan recall Amir for South Africa Test series

DUBAI: Pakistan selectors on Friday recalled fast bowler Mohammad Amir in the 16-member squad for the three-match Test tour of South Africa starting later this month.

Sarfraz Ahmed will lead the side, which opens the tour with the first Test at Centurion from December 26.

Pakistan will also play five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals on the tour, for which squads will be announced later.

The second Test will be played at Cape Town from Jan.3-7 next year, while the third and final match is in Johannesburg from Jan.11-15.

Amir was dropped from the side after failing to get a single wicket in three Asia Cup matches in the UAE in September this year.

He missed Pakistan’s twomatch Test series against Australia and then three Tests against New Zealand -- both in UAE -but chief selector Inzamam-ulhaq believes the left-armer has regained his form in domestic matches.

“Amir makes a comeback in the team after regaining his form in domestic cricket, giving strength to a fast bowling attack that includes four pace bowlers,” said Inzamam while announcing the squad.

Also staging comebacks are legspinner Shadab Khan, and openers Fakhar Zaman and Shan Masood.

But there were no places for off-spinner Bilal Asif, who took five wickets in the ongoing Abu Dhabi Test against New Zealand, and Lahore opener Abid Ali, who has also been scoring heavily at the domestic level and for Pakistan ‘A’.

Inzamam’snephewimam-ul-haq gets another chance despite scoring a mere 73 runs in three Tests against New Zealand.