Asif asked to attend U-19 camp to prepare for Champions Trophy

September 25th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam is confident that his team will beat India at Centurion Saturday and earn a semi-final place in the Champions Trophy. Going by the form, India will be the favourites in the much awaited clash, but Intikhab believes that two major factors will give his side an upper hand -- the absence of flamboyant Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh and the return of Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif.

September 17th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has said his team can win the ICC Champions Trophy beginning September 22. Talking to reporters at the Karachi International Airport before leaving for South Africa, Alam said the Pakistan team has only one aim and that is to win the prestigious title.

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.

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 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 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 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 20th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan cricket chief selector Iqbal Qasim has ruled out ontroversial speedster Shoaib Akhtar's chances of getting into the ICC Champions Trophy squad. Qasim said there is only a 'remote' possibility of Akhtar getting a place in the team through a 'wild card'.

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.

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 10th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistan's banned Test pacer Mohammad Asif is eyeing a second successful comeback to international cricket this September after completing his one-year doping ban. Asif said in an interview Friday that he is currently training extensively at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore and will make a forceful return in the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa, provided national selectors decide to give him a chance to play in the tournament.

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.