Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Pakistan and WAPDA seamer Mohammad Asif was relieved to
learn that the ICC has no qualms about him returning to international cricket
after he served his ban for his part in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal.
The ICC issued a statement in response to Asif's claim that
the body could possibly have issued an instruction to the PCB not to select
him.
Asif slammed Pakistan's fast bowlers in a spectacular rant
to the media last week and said he would write to the ICC to find out if they
were blocking his selection.
An ICC spokesperson told Pakistani publication the Express
Tribune: “All the three players became eligible to return to domestic and
international cricket after their bans expired in September 2015.
“The ICC has not asked the member board [PCB] to not select
them or any one of the three players since they completed the sanctions. It is
solely on the discretion of the member board to select these players.”
Asif would tell the same publication that he was relieved to
hear there was no question of him being blacklisted.
The seamer said: “I was very concerned about my future when
these rumours surfaced.
“That was affecting my performance because I was confused.
Now I am clear [on the issue] and will focus completely on my bowling. I have
plenty of cricket left in me and will continue to work hard for a return to the
national team.”
Asif has taken 12 wickets in three completed Quaid-e-Azam
Trophy matches this season and is wicketless through 23 overs in WAPDA's on-going
clash with Sui Southern Gas.
Along with Asif and Mohammad Amir the third player banned
for involvement in the 2010 spot fixing scandal Salman Butt has also spoken out
about his determination to work his way back into the Pakistan team.
Butt told the Express Tribune: “I was in contention for the
World T20 and then the England tour.
“This means there was no embargo on my selection from the
ICC. I have not contemplated contacting the ICC over my selection and neither
have I given any such statement. I am aware that only a good performance in
domestic cricket will make my case for a return to the national side and that’s
what I am doing.”
An official with the PCB has reportedly said that the duo will
not be eligible for selection until they have completed a full domestic
campaign.
The official is quoted as saying: “Chief selector [Inzamamul
Haq] had made it clear that the selection committee would like both Asif and
Butt to play the entire domestic season.
“Now since they are playing domestic events, their performances are being monitored just like any other player.”
