Pakistan T20I captain Shaheen Shah Afridi hinted at the possibility of reuniting with former left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
Responding to fan queries during an X Spaces session, Shaheen expressed his willingness to discuss Amir's return to the national team.
"I will talk to Mohammad Amir if he's available to come back for Pakistan once again. Amir and I bowled together after almost 5 years. It was a very good experience to bowl with him; our partnership was great," Afridi stated.
Amir, who retired from international cricket in 2020, had accused head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis of favoritism and injustice.
Despite fans' pleas for him to reconsider his retirement, Amir remained steadfast in his decision, citing a desire to move on from international cricket.
"At the moment, I have moved on. I have different things in my life to do," Amir stated in a press conference. "For me, this debate is closed. After three years out, I don’t think it would be a sensible decision for me to come back. For now, at least."
However, considering Amir's positive partnership with Shaheen Afridi and the looming T20 World Cup, the left-arm pacer's return cannot be ruled out. The camaraderie between the two could add a dynamic dimension to Pakistan's pace attack in the upcoming tournament.
Amir, who boasts an impressive international career, represented Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs, and 50 T20Is. His last international match was in 2020, and he played a pivotal role in Pakistan's ICC T20 World Cup 2009 and ICC Champions Trophy 2017 victories.
While Amir has consistently maintained his reluctance to return to the national team, the evolving cricket landscape and his strong bond with Shaheen Afridi leave the door slightly ajar for a potential comeback, adding an intriguing subplot to Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign.