Pakistan have decided against recalling pace bowler Mohammad Asif for the fourth Test against England at The Oval next week.
The 23-year-old travelled to England with the original touring party, but returned home before the start of the Test series after suffering an elbow injury.
The original plan was for him to receive treatment before rejoining the squad for the fourth and final Test, but with England already having an unassailable 2-0 lead, the tour management have decided to let him rest ahead of the one-day series.
PCB director of cricket operations Saleem Altaf confirmed: “He was scheduled to join the team before the fourth Test, but the management have asked us to only make him available for the five one-day internationals.”
Pakistan’s pace attack is likely to be strengthened at The Oval by the return of Shoaib Akhtar, who has been honing his match fitness in club cricket after recovering from an ankle injury.
Altaf added: “Akhtar has now been inducted into the squad while other fast bowlers Shahid Nazir and Umar Gul have been bowling well.”
at first i was a little dissapointed to see the headline, but i'd rather have asif rest and be ready for the ODI's. it's good that the PCB is being a little realistic with the teams goals now (... i would hope).
I think Inzi and decided that we lost the series anyway, and bowling seemed to have improved over time (in fact wasn't bad throughout had it not been for dropped catches and umpiring), so we might as well boost the confidence of our 'reserve bowlers' by allowing them to play one more match, in which they know that they have 'nothing to lose' and can go all out. Besides, given that Asif hadn't bowled for over a month, he might just come in, prove to be a dud, and that will remove the psychological advantage of having ASif in the team. On to ODIs then.
This is typical PCB BS. First Asif was in the squad and ready to fly to London. Then, as soon we lose the 3rd test, he is only fit for ODI's. Come on, either he is fit or he isn't. I have a sneaking suspicion that if we had drawn or won the 3rd test, then we would have seen Asif playing in the 4th Test.
This is sad, we cannot compromise or risk a player's career for the sake one match. We tried that with Shoaib Akhtar when he played against India when he wasn't fully fit. Look where that got us.
Also, about Akhtar being added in the squad, I thought the final decision was supposed to be taken after he played the 2 day side game. I guess the PCB changed its mind again and decided that bowling a few overs against a village team means he is fit.
I think this is good startegy..Why take chanes when series is lost anyway. He has long season ahead including champions trophy and worldcup. Smart call PCB.
