Amir, Junaid, Gul could return for NZ tour

Pakistan could have a new look pace attack when they tour New Zealand in January to play a series of One-Day Internationals and T20s. According to information gathered from the national conditioning camp in Lahore, the national selectors and team management are looking to recall left-arm pacers Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan and veteran pace bowler Umar Gul for the upcoming New Zealand tour.

Junaid Khan's last internation outing was the second Test against Sri Lanka in June this year.

Pakistan could have a new look pace attack when they tour New Zealand in January to play a series of One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20s. According to information gathered from the national conditioning camp in Lahore, the national selectors and team management are looking to recall left-arm pacers Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan and veteran pace bowler Umar Gul for the New Zealand tour.

“Another uncapped southpaw pacer Rumman Raees is also in serious consideration but he unfortunately has fallen ill and could not attend the fitness tests held so far,” one source told PTI . He said that the selectors were impressed with both Junaid Khan and Rumman’s bowling with the latter showing his skills as part of England Lions team in the recent T20 series.

“There is every likelihood that Amir, Junaid and Umar could be in the ODI and T20 squads when they are announced next week for the tour to New Zealand,” he said. “If Rumman gets well soon and passes the fitness test he is also under consideration for the T20 series,” the source said.

Chief selector Haroon Rasheed, when contacted told PTI, said the squads for the series was yet to be finalized. “But yes, we have been impressed with the form of Amir, Gul and Junaid, and Rumman is a good prospect,” he said.

The former Test batsman said that it was good that Pakistan had now more bowling options. Gul, 31, who has taken 163 Test, 173 ODI and 83 T20 international wickets, has not played for the national team since April this year when he toured Bangladesh. Junaid last played an ODI in May in Lahore against Zimbabwe before being dumped by the selectors.

Asked whether the board had given clearance for the selection of tainted Mohammad Amir for the New Zealand series, Haroon said he was invited to the camp alongwith 25 other players after clearance from the board. “But as far as his visa issues for New Zealand are concerned, I am not aware of that as it is something the board is handling. For our part, we will only announce the squads after the chairman has approved them,” Haroon added.

In the last one year, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan, Rahat Ali and Imran Khan have shouldered the bulk of the bowling in all three formats for Pakistan. But the source said that the tall Irfan could be dropped for the tour to New Zealand because of form and fitness issues.