PCB asks Asif to join coaching camp to assess his fitness

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 29th, 2009 KOLKATA - Former Pakistan speedster Wasim Akram will join the Kolkata Knight Riders' camp, which begins in Gurgaon Oct 1. He will join the KKR camp at Gurgaon to oversee the proceedings, former KKR skipper Sourav Ganguly said at the Eden Gardens here Tuesday.

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 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 ISLAMABAD - Former Pakistan wicket-keeper captain Rashid Latif has said captain Younis Khan has been asking him to join the national team's coaching staff for the last one year. In an interview with PakPassion.net, Latif said his commitments with the National Cricket Academy and his family was keeping him away from joining the national team.

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 9th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif will have to prove his physical fitness on Sunday before being considered for the ICC Champions Trophy. The 26-year-old pacer, whose career had plummeted after he failed a dope test during the Indian Premier League's (IPL) inaugural season, is hoping to find a place in Pakistani team after serving a one-year ban imposed by the PCB.

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 10th, 2009 LAHORE - Controversial Pakistan fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif would be considered for selection for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in September-October in South Africa, interim chief selector Wasim Bari has said. "Asif's ban will expire on September 22, two days before the Trophy starts, so he will be considered for the squad, and Akhtar will also be considered once he proves his fitness," The Daily Times quoted Bari, as saying.

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 1st, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Former Pakistan fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz has said Shoaib Akhtar must prove his hundred percent fitness if he wants to secure a berth in the national team. Nawaz said if Akhtar proved his fitness, he would definitely be included in the squad.