#Lahore: Fast bowler Mohammad Amir has been named in Pakistan’s Test squad to face England in a four-match series starting next month, six years after he received a spot-fixing ban against the same opponents.Amir along with then-Pakistan captain Salman Butt and new-ball partner Mohammad Asif, were found guilty of arranging deliberate no-balls in return for money during the Lord’s Test against England in August 2010.
In addition to receiving custodial sentences, all three players were banned for five years.
Since returning from his suspension last September Amir has been a regular feature in Pakistan’s one-day and Twenty20 sides but has yet to make his return to Tests.
His good form makes him an automatic choice for the team. Barring any visa problem or injury he is set to open the bowling for Pakistan when they take the field for the first Test on July 14 at Lord’s — the same venue where he committed his offence six years earlier.
Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said Amir would receive a visa.
“Amir is expected to get visa in the next couple of days and (Mohammad) Hafeez is also cleared by medical staff so we have included him,” Inzamam told a press conference.
The Test squad will be led by Misbah-ul-Haq, who took on the captaincy in October 2010, a few months after the spot-fixing scandal.
Opener Hafeez was selected subject to his full recovery from a knee injury sustained two months ago, with selectors deciding to include him after team medics said he would regain fitness in the next few days.
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