Imad Wasim, Amir named in 29-man squad for training camp with Pakistan Army; UAE-bound Usman called up

Two no-more former Pakistan cricketers, Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, who recently announced their decisions to come out of retirement for the 2024 T20 World Cup, have been included in the 29-man squad for the training camp with Pakistan Army. UAE-bound Usman Khan is also added to the teamfor the camp in Kakul from March 26 to April 8.

Amir and Wasim took to social media last week to announce their decisions to get back in reckoning for the 20-team tournament in the Caribbean and the USA in June. Both had retired from international cricket earlier but were active in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), representing their respective franchises in the recently concluded season.

While Amir just returned with eight wickets in PSL 2024, Wasim was the star performer for Islamabad United, guiding them to their third PSL title.

Besides this pair, seamer Haris Rauf is also part of the squad, with PCB reinstating him into the contract list. Earlier, following Rauf’s decision to deny a return to Test cricket for the Australia series and also for preferring franchise-based T20 Leagues over international cricket, the board released him from the contract list.

The inclusion of Pakistan-born UAE-based batter Usman Khan has raised eyebrows. With a clear intention of roping in Usman to play for Pakistan across all formats, he is called up to remain with the team in Kakul for the training camp.

ALSO READ:IPL 2024: Jasprit Bumrah leaves Stuart Broad, Steve Smith speechless with ruthless spell against GT

However, per the ICC website, Usman Khan is a UAE batter, having played in PSL 2024 as an overseas batter. Before this, he played in the ILT20 and the Abu Dhabi T10 League as a local player for the UAE.

Although PCB is said to be proceeding with the required paperwork quickly, Usman had downplayed the chances of him featuring for Pakistan, citing the country’s uncertainties and difficulty in procuring no-objection certificates from the Emirates Cricket Board as reasons behind the same.

Pakistan training camp members -

Aamer Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Haseebullah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Irfan Khan, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan and Zaman Khan

Meanwhile, New Zealand will tour Pakistan for five T20Is starting in April.