Mohammad Amir cleared to join Pakistan squad in England after testing negative twice for COVID-19

Ahead of Pakistan’s tour of England, pacer Mohammad Amir had withdrawn from the series to be with his wife for the birth of their second child. However, after the birth of his daughter just four days ago, he announced his decision to re-join the side.

Pakistan are slated to play three Tests and as many T20Is on the English soil, starting from August 5. Amir, who only plays for Pakistan in the shorter formats, was cleared on Thursday to join the national squad after his second COVID-19 test also came negative.

“The PCB will now be making arrangements to send Amir and masseur, Muhammad Imran to England as soon as possible so that they can join the training camp in Derbyshire,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a release.

Mohammad Amir had stunned everyone by his sudden retirement from Tests last year

Amir, last year, had stunned the cricket fraternity by announcing his retirement from the Test format. The national team’s head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq was also left stunned and disappointed by Amir’s sudden move of bidding adieu to red-ball cricket. 28-year-old Amir, according to many former cricketers, still has a lot to offer to Pakistan in the traditional format.

“He is a very experienced bowler and has done well in English conditions. I think if he is available and willing, he can be considered to play the Test matches which are very important for Pakistan,” Rashid Latif had said on the prospect of Amir returning to the Test format.

However, the left-arm quick, in a recent interview, had said that he had made a mistake playing all three formats after his return after a five-year ban for spot-fixing.

“I should have first played one or two formats and checked to see how my body is doing and whether I could take the strain. I erred in playing immediately in all three formats and it led to injury and fitness problems. At least now I am confident that I can now carry on playing for another four to six years if I take care of myself,” Amir, who has donned the Pakistan jersey in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 48 T20Is, had said.