Pakistan recall paceman Asif for third England Test by AFP

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Player:	Mohammad Asif
Event:	England in Pakistan 2005/06

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DateLine: 25th November 2005

 

Pakistan on Thursday recalled fast bowler Mohammad Asif for the third and final cricket Test against England.

 

"We have made only one change in the squad. Asif is in good form and he replaces Shabbir Ahmed who will go to Australia for further work on his suspect bowling action," Pakistan chief selector Wasim Bari told AFP.

 

Ahmed was reported for a second time this year during last week's first Test at Multan, where the hosts won by 22 runs to gain a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second Test ended in a draw here on Thursday.

 

The third and final Test begins at Lahore on November 29.

 

The 23-year-old Asif, who played his only Test against Australia at Sydney early this year, got the selectors' nod after taking 10 wickets in Pakistan-A's win against England in a warm-up game at Lahore.

 

All-rounder Shahid Afridi, who was banned on Monday for one Test and two one-day internationals for damaging the pitch here, is also missing from the 15-man squad.

 

Bari said the team were playing well as a unit.

 

"We don't want to disturb the balance of the team which is very good. The best thing about this team is their fighting spirit even when the chips are down," he said.

 

All-rounder Abdul Razzaq was also not available for selection after he failed to recover from an elbow injury which had already forced him to miss the first two Tests.

 

Squad: Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Asim Kamal, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria, Arshad Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Shoaib Akhtar, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Hasan Raza, Mohammad Asif.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)