Disgraced fast bowler Mohammad Amir announced Sunday he was coming out of retirement and available for this year's Twenty20 World Cup.
Amir's precocious career was halted in 2010 after he along with then-Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and fellow pacer Mohammad Asif were banned for five years over a spot fixing scandal.
All three were also jailed by a United Kingdom court.
Amir returned to play for Pakistan in 2016 but announced a shock retirement in December 2020 after he was not selected due to poor form.
"I still dream to play for Pakistan! Life brings us to the points where at times we have to reconsider our decisions," Amir wrote Sunday on social media platform X.
After "positive" talks with Pakistan Cricket Board officials, he said the PCB made him feel "that I was needed and can still play for Pakistan".
"I declare I am available to be considered for upcoming T20WC," the 31-year old added.
The Twenty20 World Cup will be held in the United States and the West Indies in June.
Amir has represented Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 One Day Internationals and 50 T20 Internationals.
His announcement came a day after all-rounder Imad Wasim reversed his own decision to retire four months ago and made himself available to play in this year's T20 World Cup.
Meanwhile, the PCB has reinstated Haris Rauf's central contract after he made his case in a letter, chairman Mohsin Naqvi said Sunday, a month after the PCB terminated it over the bowler's refusal to join the Test squad.
The 30-year old had not joined the Pakistan team for their three-match Test tour of Australia, which coincided with his stint at Australia's Big Bash League.
Pakistan suffered a 3-0 series defeat to the hosts.
"I received a letter from Rauf, who wrote to us very nicely," Naqvi told reporters.
"He said there was a misunderstanding, an incorrect decision was made. His contract has been restored."
Rauf is currently out with a dislocated shoulder after picking up the problem during a Pakistan Super League match.
"I was worried about him because he's injured...We are currently working on his injury. He is our star player and we have to look after him," Naqvi added.
