Mohammad Amir dropped for two-Test series against Australia

Friday, 28 September 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ESPNCrcinfo: Mohammad Amir will not be part of the side that takes on Australia in two Test matches next month. The 26-year-old, who has missed just one Test since his comeback to international cricket in 2016, appears to have paid the price for his poor ODI form in the recent Asia Cup, resulting in his exclusion from the 17-member squad named by the PCB today.

He went wicketless in the last five ODIs he played and has picked up just three ODI wickets since the Champions Trophy final last year at an average in excess of 100. He was impressive in the three Tests Pakistan played this year - one against Ireland and two against England - where he took 12 wickets at an average of 18.4. His bowling average in the UAE, however, is far less flattering, albeit over a small sample size; in four Tests at Pakistan’s adopted home, he has taken seven wickets at 56.4.

There are a number of other notable changes to the Pakistan squad, announced the day after an ignominious exit from the Asia Cup at Bangladesh’s hands, which denied them a shot at the title against India on Friday. Their overall performance in the tournament was well below par. Several batsmen struggled for runs, while spinners were largely ineffective, and Pakistan’s fielding standards suffered a significant dip.

Shan Masood, a Test specialist until now, was included in the Asia Cup squad, but didn’t get to make his debut. He finds himself left out of the Test side now, with Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq designated to share opening duties. Haris Sohail keeps his place in the Test side, while Usman Salahuddin, who travelled to England but played just the one game, is also part of the squad.

Mohammad Amir will not be part of the side that takes on Australia in two Test matches next month. The 26-year-old, who has missed just one Test since his comeback to international cricket in 2016, appears to have paid the price for his poor ODI form in the recent Asia Cup, resulting in his exclusion from the 17-member squad named by the PCB today.

He went wicketless in the last five ODIs he played and has picked up just three ODI wickets since the Champions Trophy final last year at an average in excess of 100. He was impressive in the three Tests Pakistan played this year - one against Ireland and two against England - where he took 12 wickets at an average of 18.4. His bowling average in the UAE, however, is far less flattering, albeit over a small sample size; in four Tests at Pakistan’s adopted home, he has taken seven wickets at 56.4.

There are a number of other notable changes to the Pakistan squad, announced the day after an ignominious exit from the Asia Cup at Bangladesh’s hands, which denied them a shot at the title against India on Friday. Their overall performance in the tournament was well below par. Several batsmen struggled for runs, while spinners were largely ineffective, and Pakistan’s fielding standards suffered a significant dip.

Shan Masood, a Test specialist until now, was included in the Asia Cup squad, but didn’t get to make his debut. He finds himself left out of the Test side now, with Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq designated to share opening duties. Haris Sohail keeps his place in the Test side, while Usman Salahuddin, who travelled to England but played just the one game, is also part of the squad.