Pakistan select Mohammad Amir for national training camp

Mohammad Amir has edged closer to a return to international cricket after he was selected by Pakistan for a 26-man training squad.

The fast bowler's international ban for spot-fixing ended in September and his recent Twenty20 performances for Chittagong Vikings in the Bangladesh Premier League have clearly caught the eye of selectors.

Amir took 14 wickets in nine matches for the Vikings and will now join up with the rest of the squad for the national camp, which will run from December 21 through to January 7 at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore.

Pakistan travel to New Zealand next month for a limited overs series ahead of the World Twenty20 in India, which starts in March.

Amir's return was opposed by some current players, including former T20 skipper Mohammad Hafeez, but Amir said he hoped he could win them over "with my performances and with my acts".

Fellow fast bowler Umar Gul was also named in the squad after making a recovery from a knee injury.

"The main objective of the camp is to improve the overall physical fitness of all players and to enhance the technical aspect of each player's game and to prepare them for the upcoming international events," the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement on their website.