Reports | Mohammad Amir to join Pakistan squad in England

In what has come as encouraging news for the touring Pakistan camp in England, fast bowler Mohammad Amir, according to a Cricbuzz report, is said to have made himself available for the England series, after initially rendering himself unavailable for the tour. 28-year-old Amir had initially withdrawn himself from participating in the series due to the birth of his second child, but after his wife successfully gave birth to a baby girl four days ago, it is believed that Amir approached the PCB to convey his availability. 

Should Amir join the Pakistan camp, he will replace Haris Rauf in the squad, after the latter once again tested positive for Covid-19. Rauf was one of the first few Pakistan players to test positive for the virus ahead of the side’s departure to England in late June, but, as things stand, the Melbourne Stars pacer, unfortunately, is yet to recover from the novel virus. 

But it is unclear whether Amir, should he join the Pakistan camp in England, will be available only for the limited-overs leg of the tour or for both Tests and T20Is. The 28-year-old left-arm seamer had announced his retirement from Test cricket in mid 2019, citing workload management, and if he does make himself available for the Tests, too, it remains to be seen whether he’ll make a u-turn on his decision to step away from Test cricket. 

Pakistan will play 3 Tests and as many ODIs against England next month and the tour will kick-start with the red-ball games, with the first Test set to commence from August 5 at Old Trafford.