AMIR BACK FOR PAKISTAN

LEFT-ARM Fast bowler Mohammad Amir has been restored to Pakistan’s squad for the three-test series against South Africa.

Amir, 26, was left out of Pakistan’s squad for the recent series’ with Australia and New Zealand after coach Mickey

ICYMI

| IOL.CO.ZA

Arthur questioned his hunger for playing the game. Amir had gone wicketless in four consecutive ODIS prior to the Australia series in the UAE and was sent back to Pakistan to rediscover some form.

In what is expected to be a fiery competition between the respective fast bowling units on quick and bouncy tracks in South Africa, the recall of Amir adds potency to a Pakistan attack which includes crafty medium pacer Mohammad Abbas, who claimed a ten-for in the second Test against Australia to set up a famous victory.

Among the other quicks are Hassan

Ali and left-armer Shaheen Afridi, 19, who caught the eye of the Titans players in the recent Abu Dhabi T20 tournament.

There are a few injury concerns for the Pakistanis: Abbas is expected to be fit in time for the opening Test starting on December 26, while top order batsman Fakhar Zaman is undergoing rehabilitation for a knee injury. Squad: Imam-ul-haq, Fakhar Zaman,

Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmad (capt/wk), Mohammad Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Hassan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi

| Stuart Hess