ISLAMABAD: Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir says he is available for the upcoming T20 World Cup after having “positive discussions” with Pakistan Cricket Board officials.
The left-arm fast bowler played his last T20 international against England in August 2020 before he quit international cricket, saying he was mentally tortured.
“I still dream to play for Pakistan!” the 31-year-old Amir wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday.
“Life brings us to the points where at times we have to reconsider our decisions. There have been a few positive discussions between myself and the PCB where they respectfully made me feel that I was needed and can still play for Pakistan, and after discussing with family and well wishers I declare that I am available to be considered for upcoming T20 WC.
“I want do this for my country as it comes before my personal decisions. Donning the green jersey and serving my country has always been, and will continue to be, my greatest aspiration.”
Amir is the second Pakistan player who has come out of retirement and shown interest in returning to international cricket over the last two days.
On Saturday, all-rounder Imad Wasim said that he’s also available until the T20 World Cup after guiding Islamabad United to its third title in the Pakistan Super League earlier this week.
Amir also played in the PSL for Quetta Gladiators and took 10 wickets in 9 games with an economy rate of 8.41. Both cricketers have experience of playing T20 league cricket in the West Indies, which is a T20 World Cup co-host nation alongside the United States.
Fast bowler Mohammad Amir says he is available for Pakistan T20 World Cup selection
https://arab.news/4t8nb
Fast bowler Mohammad Amir says he is available for Pakistan T20 World Cup selection
- The left-arm fast bowler played his last T20 international against England in August 2020 before he quit international cricket
- Amir is the second Pakistan player who has come out of retirement in last two days and shown interest in returning to game
Pakistan vows full support for Somalia at UN after Israel’s recognition of Somaliland
- Pakistan Deputy PM Ishaq Dar speaks to Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali
- Israel last week recognized breakaway region Somaliland, triggering among from Muslim states
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday vowed to extend full support to Somalia at the UN and other multilateral fora after Israel last week recognized Somaliland, a breakaway African region, triggering anger among Muslim nations.
Israel this week announced it had recognized Somaliland — a self-declared region that broke away from Somalia in 1991 but has not previously been recognized by any United Nations member state — triggering condemnation from Somalia and criticism from regional bodies.
The foreign ministers of 21 Muslim nations, including Pakistan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), released a joint statement on Saturday condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, saying the move was a violation of the principles of the UN charter and international law.
Dar received a phone call from Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali on Sunday during which the latter thanked Islamabad for supporting Somalia in the wake of recent developments, the Pakistani foreign office said. He also sought Pakistan’s assistance in raising Somalia’s concerns at the UN Security Council, the foreign ministry said.
“The DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for Somalia’s sovereignty & territorial integrity and condemned any actions aimed at undermining it,” the statement said.
“The DPM/FM affirmed Pakistan’s full support for Somalia at the UN and other multilateral fora.”
Israel’s move to recognize the breakaway region triggered anger among Muslim nations worldwide after international media reports earlier this year said Israel and the US had reached out to East African states, including Somaliland, to take in Palestinians from Gaza.
The joint statement by Muslim states said they rejected any attempts to “forcibly expel the Palestinian people out of their land.”
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also condemned Israel’s move to recognize the breakaway region on Sunday, describing it as a threat to the stability of the region and the world.
Critics argue that Israel has long lobbied to carve up the region further under various guises.
This recognition of Somaliland is seen by many in the Arab world as a continuation of a strategy aimed at weakening centralized Arab and Muslim states by encouraging peripheral secessionist movements.
