CricketViewer.com

Pakistan’s dope-tainted pacer Mohammad Asif says he is fully fit to make a successful comeback to international cricket after missing the World Cup in the Caribbean because of injury and doping-related problems.

Asif said on Monday that he has completely recovered from an elbow injury he sustained during the tour of South Africa earlier this year and is now looking forward to the three-match One-day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka later this month.

The lanky medium-pacer was unable to feature in the World Cup after being withdrawn from Pakistan’s 15-man squad just days before the start of the 16-nation contest. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that he and fellow pacer Shoaib Akhtar were dropped from the team because of fitness issues.

However, there were suspicions that the duo was withdrawn to avoid doping-related complications during the World Cup. Shoaib and Asif tested positive for banned anabolic steroid nandrolone last September and were banned by a PCB inquiry committee.

However, an appeals tribunal later cleared the bowlers, a decision that was challenged by the World Anti-Doping Agency in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). The case against the pacers may begin in the near future.

Asif, however, said that he does not fear any doping ban adding that his sights were now set on resuming his international career. “I am fully focused on making a successful comeback with the series in Abu Dhabi,” said the pacer. Pakistan are scheduled to play three one-dayers against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi from May 10-15.

Source:Cricket News