Sarfaraz Ahmed: “I think it’s better late than never and they came at the right time as Pakistan needs them. So, I hope that their return [will] surely benefit the Pakistan team”

Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed is glad left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir and spin-bowling all-rounder Imad Wasim are willing to play international cricket again, saying it is “better late than never.”

Both players reversed their decisions to retire from international cricket and will now be available for selection in the lead-up to the 2024 T20 World Cup in June.

Sarfaraz expressed his optimism that their return will “benefit the Pakistan team” as they are definitely needed.

“I think it’s better late than never and they came at the right time as Pakistan needs them. So, I hope that their return [will] surely benefit the Pakistan team,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.

Amir recently represented the Quetta Gladiators in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL) and took 10 wickets in nine matches at an average of 28.60 and an economy rate of 8.41.

Imad, meanwhile, played for Islamabad United and claimed 12 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 20.91 and an economy rate of 6.60.

He also did well with the bat, scoring 126 runs, which included a top score of 59 not out, at an average of 21 and a strike-rate of 128.57.

Pakistan’s next assignment will be a five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from April 18 to 27.

Pakistan Squad for New Zealand T20I Series: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan

Non-travelling reserves: Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha

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