Mohammad Amir: Three-wicket haul on ODI return shows pacer can be Pakistan's trump card at World T20

New Delhi: After disappointing in the recently concluded T20Is, Mohammad Amir returned to Pakistan's ODI side on Monday with a bang.

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The pacer bowled a superb spell, opening the bowling with Mohammad Irfan, to pick up three wickets in the 1st ODI against New Zealand in Wellington.

The left-armer bowled 8.1 overs for 28 runs at an economy rate of 3.42, which was the best among all the Pakistani bowlers.

Amir's spell comprised of 33 dot balls and just two boundaries. Lack of international match practice was visible from the fact he conceded three wides.

The 23-year-old's victims included opener Tom Latham, Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi.

Amir's inspired performance was trumped by Black Caps' Trent Boult who picked up four wickets to lead his side to a 70-run win.

However, Amir's return to form in his first ODI for over five years will delight the Pakistan camp.

He last played an international match in June 2010 before being entangled in the match-fixing scandal.

In 16 ODIs, Amir has 28 scalps at an impressive average of 22.42.

If he can build on this solid display in the remainder of the series, the pacer could emerge as a trump card for the Asian giants in 2016.

The Pakistan side will switch into T20 mode after the ODI series against the Kiwis.

Amir's real challenge will be to adapt to the 20-over game, which has changed considerably in the last few years.

In the three T20Is against New Zealand, Amir picked up just one wicket.

He will now focus his attention to the Pakistan Super League, a T20 competition, where a good show could earn him a ticket to India for the all-important ICC World T20.