Asif’s selection for ICC Champions Trophy squad depends on today’s fitness test

August 26th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has backed the selection of fast bowler Mohammad Asif in the 15 member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy saying his presence will add 'fire' to the team's bowling line up. "I think Asif's presence in the team will lend experience and sharpness to the bowling attack especially on the South African pitches where pace bowlers usually have a good time.

August 26th, 2009 KARACHI - Several former Pakistani cricketers have raised questions over the selection of fast bowler Mohammad Asif in the national squad for the ICC Champions Trophy. Former fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz criticised the selection committee for Asif's selection, saying the tainted bowler should not be included in the 15 member squad as he has not participated in any international event for the last 18 months.

August 22nd, 2009 MELBOURNE - Nine of the players currently playing in the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval, have been included in Australia's 15-man squad for next month's Champion's Trophy to be played in South Africa. The national selection panel has resisted the temptation to blood some exciting youngsters.

August 22nd, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Supporting the selection committee's decision to bring back tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif into the national squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, chief selector Iqbal Qasim has said the decision to include Asif was taken only after a close monitoring of the bowler in the fitness camp. Qasim said Asif has been made to go through a rigorous fitness test in which he performed satisfactorily.

August 21st, 2009 LAHORE - Tainted Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has cleared a 'tough' fitness test enhancing his chances of securing a place in the ICC Champions Trophy squad. Former wicketkeeper captain Rashid Latif, who is supervising Asif's rehabilitation, confirmed Asif clearing the multi-stage fitness test.

August 19th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif to join a coaching camp for young players to ascertain his fitness level before the ICC Champions Trophy. "Asif is attending the training camp for Under-23 players in Karachi where we have asked camp commandant Rashid Latif to give us a report by Thursday (tomorrow) whether he is match fit for the Champions Trophy," The Daily Times quoted chief selector Iqbal Qasim, as saying.

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 15th, 2009 KARACHI - Tainted Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif's aspirations of a come back into the national team have received a jolt, with captain Younis Khan saying that he (Asif) must prove his fitness to secure a place in the team for the Champions Trophy. "Asif has to prove his form and fitness after long lay-off and after one-year ban," Khan said.

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.

August 8th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Cricket Board's newly appointed chief selector Iqbal Qasim has stated that controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar still has a future in international cricket. Qasim said: "The door is not closed on Shoaib Akhtar, he can still play cricket for Pakistan in future, however what he needs to do is to prove to the selection committee that he is fit enough for international cricket." Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net, he said the reports that the selectors received were that Akhtar was not fit enough to be eligible for selection for the 30 man preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy and they took note of those reports accordingly.

July 19th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan's controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been ruled out for the one-day international series against Sri Lanka beginning later this month. Interim cricket chief selector Wasim Bari observed Akhtar during a 'special' fitness test conducted here at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), but denied to recommend the pacers name for selection saying he lacked match fitness.

July 18th, 2009 LAHORE - Ever heard of a fitness test for a fast bowler where he passes it without even bowling a single delivery; well this is just what the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has managed to do. Interim chief selector Wasim Bari conducted a fitness test for controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar where he did not bowl even a single delivery.

July 17th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar has been given another chance to prove his fitness ahead of the team selection for the one-day series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin July 30. Pakistans interim chief selector Wasim Bari has asked Shoaib to attend a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore later Friday.

July 16th, 2009 KARACHI - Shoaib Akhtar has failed to appear for a fitness test which would have helped him reserve his place in the national team for the limited over series in Sri Lanka. Acting chief selector Wasim Bari said Akhtar skipped fitness tests on Monday and Tuesday.

July 4th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistan is seriously considering recalling Mohammad Asif in the 30-member preliminary squad for this Septembers ICC Champions Trophy after the International Cricket Council (ICC) said it would not raise any objection against the pacers inclusion once he completes his doping ban. An ICC spokesman has said that once Asif completes his one-year ban on Sep 22 this year, he will be eligible to take part in any international event including the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in South Africa.