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Both Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar are likely to get a new breather in their career as they have been invited by chief selector Salahuddin Sallu to get themselves ready for the inclusion in the upcoming Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan latter this year.

Both Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif have been out of international action because of disciplinary grounds in recent times. Shoaib Akhtar got a relief from Lahore High Court, and Asif has been overlooked by the Pakistan Cricket Board. The reason behind PCB’s retreat is the dismal performance by the bowlers in the recently finished Asia Cup.

But Shoaib and Asif, might not get the chance to play soon, as there is all the liklihood that Champ Trophy wouldn’t be held in Pakistan due to the security concerns of the Western nations, especially Australia, England and New Zealand have shown their reservations in that regard, and many players of the current trophy holder Australia have clearly told their team management that they wouldn’t go to Pakistan for Champion’s Trophy.

PCB has also realized their slim chances of this prestigious tournament, and now they want compensation. The PCB’s primary demand in case Pakistan are deprived of the Champions Trophy will be to get a US$3 million hosting fee from the ICC. As the host country of the Champions Trophy, Pakistan are to receive that amount from ICC - the game’s governing body.