Asif ready to spearhead pace attack against England by AFP

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Player:	Mohammad Asif, Habibul Bashar, Shoaib Akhtar, Mushtaq Ahmed, Naved-ul-Hasan
Event:	Pakistan in British Isles 2006

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DateLine: 26th June 2006

 

Promising Pakistani paceman Mohammad Asif said Sunday he is ready to spearhead his team's pace attack during the England tour in the likely absence of two leading fast bowlers.

 

The 23-year-old Asif will be forced to take over the main role after injuries to Shoaib Akhtar and Rana Naved-ul Hasan.

 

Akhtar was left out of the 16-man party after an ankle injury while Naved faces possible surgery on his damaged groin.

 

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq said a final decision on Naved will be taken on Wednesday. If he is ruled out, either left-arm paceman Samiullah Niazi or veteran leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed will join the squad.

 

"It is a great challenge to be the spearhead of Pakistan's attack and I am ready for it," said Asif before the team's departure for England where they will play four Tests and five one-day internationals.

 

Asif hit the headlines with his ten-wicket match haul against England in a side match last year.

 

He took seven wickets to help Pakistan beat India in the third and final Test in Karachi earlier this year.

 

Then he led the attack from the front to anchor Pakistan's 1-0 win over Sri Lanka on their tour of the island in March-April, taking 15 wickets in two Tests. Both Akhtar and Naved missed that series.

 

Asif said captain Inzamam and coach Bob Woolmer's confidence had fuelled his performance.

 

"Inzamam and Woolmer have always told me to believe in my abilities and I have tried my best to fulfill the confidence they showed in me. I will try to do that again during the England tour," Asif said.

 

The lanky paceman said he benefited from a spell with English county Leicestershire.

 

"Playing in England has proved to be a great benefit and I hope I can utilise my county experience when I play against England," said Asif, who took 25 wickets in seven county games.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)