Former Pak greats blast ‘rusty’ Mohammad Asif’s selection

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 27th, 2009 LAHORE - Former chief selector of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Abdul Qadir, has criticized the selection committee for omitting experienced all-rounder Abdul Razzaq from the ICC Champions Trophy squad. Qadir also condemned the committee's decision to ignore opening batsman Salman Butt for the eight nation tournament.

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 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 - The seven member selection committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday controversially recalled paceman Mohammad Asif and opener Imran Nazir, but omitted all-rounder Abdul Razzaq from their 15-man squad for next month's Champions Trophy in South Africa. Pakistan is placed in Group A of the eight-nation Champions Trophy to be held from September 20 to October 5.

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.

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 13th, 2009 KARACHI - Former Test spinner Iqbal Qasim was Monday installed as the new Pakistan chief cricket selector. Qasim, 55, will take over from another former Test cricketer Wasim Bari, who served as an interim chief selector following the resignation of Abdul Qadir as the chairman of the national selection committee last month because of differences with the Pakistan team management and senior board officials.

June 30th, 2009 KARACHI - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Tuesday disbanded the national senior and junior selection committees with immediate effect. The move was on the cards after former chief selector Abdul Qadir resigned midway during the World Twenty20 earlier this month citing differences with the PCB.

June 22nd, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistan's Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq, who snapped their ties with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL), were selected in the 15-member squad to tour Sri Lanka. Yousuf and Razzaq were released by the ICL last month and were eligible for selection in the national team.

June 6th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf has said he is eagerly waiting to return to the national team. He however said, it was upto the selection committee to decide whether to include him in the team or not.

June 5th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan's selection committee member Shoaib Mohammad has defended the selection of opener Salman Butt for the World Twenty20 Championship beginning in England from today. Talking to reporters at the Gaddafi Stadium, he said that Salman Butt has been preferred in the team for his experience and he carries a huge burden of responsibility with him.

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 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has declared middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq eligible for selection after both players terminated their respective contracts with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). "Both players have resigned from the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and the ICL management has accepted the duo's resignations.