Asif eyeing a successful comeback

September 30th, 2009 CENTURION - Tainted Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has cleared the dope test conducted on him earlier this week here. The Pakistani team management has received the test reports late on Tuesday, The News reports.

September 25th, 2009 LAHORE - Disgraced Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Asif underwent a dope test during a practice session in Johannesburg ahead of Pakistan's encounter with India in the ICC Champions Trophy. "Asif has been taken for a dope test by the ICC.

September 23rd, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Tainted Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif is set to return to international cricket on Wednesday in the Champions Trophy match against the West Indies. The Pakistani team is yet to announce the final eleven for the match, but chances are that Asif, whose doping ban expired on Tuesday, would feature in the game.

September 16th, 2009 LAHORE - To avoid any further problems, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would be sending tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif to South Africa for the ICC Champions Trophy via London instead of Dubai. While the rest of the team will travel to South Africa via Dubai, Asif would take the route via London to avoid any trouble that the PCB feels may arise if the disgraced bowler flies via Dubai.

September 12th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistans comeback pacer Mohammad Asif has been asked by the cricket board to attend the training camp involving the countrys under-19 cricketers to prepare for the Champions Trophy that begins in South Africa Sep 22. According to sources, Asif has been told to regain his rhythm by bowling extensively during the under-19 camp.

August 31st, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has directed tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif to keep away from the media till his 12-month ban expires on September 22. According to sources, PCB Director Cricket Operations, Zakir Khan, has asked Asif to avoid the media till his ban ends.

August 31st, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan Monday said fast bowler Mohammad Asif, making a comeback after a year-long doping ban, should be given time to return to form and not burdened with unrealistic expectations. "He hasnt played any international cricket for the last 18 months and to expect him to start delivering right away would be a bit unfair, said Younis.

August 26th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Tainted Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif has vowed not to repeat his past mistakes which saw him being banned from international cricket for a year. In an interview with PakPassion.net, Asif expressed happiness over his selection in the 15 member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy and said he would justify the selectors' decision through his performance.

August 18th, 2009 KARACHI - Tainted Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif, who is eyeing a place back in the national squad, has impressed chief selector Iqbal Qasim with his form and fitness in a low-profile match. Qasim along with other member of the selection committee, Saleem Jaffer, watched Asif play during a match between youngsters attending an Under-23 Emerging Players Camp, and looked satisfied with the speedsters performance.

August 10th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan's national cricket selectors Mohammad Illyas and Azhar Khan watched fast bowler Mohammad Asif bowl in a match in Lahore on Sunday. "He bowled a seven-over spell and the report from the selectors is a positive one," The News quoted chief selector Iqbal Qasim, as saying.

July 23rd, 2009 LAHORE - Expressing happiness over him being included in the initial list of 30 probables for the Champions Trophy, banned Pakistani left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Asif has said the call is like a "rebirth" for him. "You can say that it's a sort of rebirth for me.

July 2nd, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistani cricket authorities on Thursday fined Mohammad Asif one million rupees (12,500 dollars) over the fast bowler's 19-day detention at Dubai airport for alleged drug possession. Asif, 26, was detained last June on his way back home after playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

July 2nd, 2009 KARACHI - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a fine of Rs.1 million on bowler Mohammad Asif over his Dubai misadventure. A three-man probe committee set up by the PCB decided Thursday to impose the fine on Asif, who was detained in Dubai for 19 days for alleged possession of drugs at the Dubai airport last summer.

June 4th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) committee which is probing tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif's Dubai detention case, has recommended a hefty fine of two million rupees on the bowler. According to the sources, the committee has informed the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt that Asif had failed to provide proof regarding his 19 day detention in Dubai last year.

May 30th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistan's dope-tainted pacer Mohammad Asif is expected to be slapped with a hefty fine for his Dubai misadventure last summer. Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told IANS Saturday that the probe committee appointed to investigate into Asif's 19-day detention in Dubai last June for possession of a banned substance has recommended action against the player.