Asif determined to come back

KARACHI: Lanky Test pacer Mohammad Asif on Tuesday vowed that he would stage a comeback to the national side after proving his worth in domestic cricket.

“I take it as a challenge. Insha Allah I will perform and will come back,” Asif told reporters after the National One-day Cup match between WAPDA and Karachi Whites here at National Stadium.

When asked if he thought Mohammad Amir was being favoured and he was not, Asif said he would also be picked when he delivered in domestic cricket. “When we will perform, selectors will also pick us. Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) chairman has also given a good statement and Waqar Younis has also said that we should perform and the doors of national team are open to us,” the 33-year-old Asif said.

Asif’s splendid career as one of the world’s leading bowlers was dented by the 2010 Lord’s spot-fixing scandal.

The then Pakistan skipper Salman Butt and left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir were the others caught in that episode that rocked the cricket world.

After they served the five-year ban, the International Cricket Council (ICC) cleared them.

Amir, who had been treated leniently because of his young age, was given early entry into the domestic cricket which ultimately helped him as he has been picked in Pakistan’s squad for the tour of New Zealand.

Asif said the more matches he would play the better his performance would be.

“We have just started. We were only permitted four days ago. In the first game I bowled well and today also overall I bowled well. But you know these are one-day tracks which normally help the batsmen. The wicket of Hyderabad did not help the bowlers,” he said.

“Still it is the start of the event. In the next matches I expect good tracks which will help me produce good performance,” Asif said.

On his return to domestic cricket on Sunday, Asif picked 2-22 in six overs against FATA and here on Tuesday he remained wicket-less while conceding 29 runs in his seven overs against Karachi Whites.  Asif has 106 wickets from 23 Tests and 46 wickets from 38 One-day Internationals.