Pakistan drop 'tainted' Amir from England Test series

Disgraced Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Amir has been left out of the squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against England in the United Arab Emirates.

The left-hander, who became eligible to represent his country after serving his five-year ban for spot-fixing, had been linked with a return to the side during the two warm-up matches for A team against the Alastair Cook-led side early next month, the Guardian reported.

The tainted trio of Amir, former captain Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif served time in prison and were banned for their role in the infamous 2010 Lord's spot-fixing scandal.

Amir took 51 wickets in 14 Tests and 25 in 15 one-day internationals before he was handed a five-year ban for bowling deliberate no-balls by pre-arrangement during the fourth test against England at Lord's.

Pakistan will play the first Test match in Abu Dhabi on October 13, while the second and third one will be held in Dubai (October 22) and Sharjah (November 1) respectively.

Pakistan Test squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Fawad Alam, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Wahab Riaz, Imran Khan, Rahat Ali, Junaid Khan.