Asif ready for England Challenge by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	Mohammad Asif
Event:	Pakistan in British Isles 2006

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DateLine: 27th June 2006

 

Pakistani bowler Mohammad Asif will spearhead his team’s pace attack during the England tour.The 23-year-old Asif will take over the main role following injuries to regular bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Rana Naved-ul Hasan.

 

Akhtar was left out of the 16-man party following an ankle injury while Naved faces possible surgery on his damaged groin.

 

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq said a final decision on Naved would be taken on Wednesday. If he is ruled out, either left-arm paceman Samiullah Niazi or veteran leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed will join the squad.

 

“It is a great challenge to lead Pakistan's attack and I am ready for the challenge," said Asif who took seven wickets to help Pakistan defeat India in the third and final Test in Karachi earlier this year.

 

Asif then spearheaded the attack to play a stellar role in Pakistan's 1-0 win over Sri Lanka on their tour of the island in March-April, taking 15 wickets in two Tests. Both Akhtar and Naved missed that series.