Mohammad Asif set to pursue appeal on ICC ban
The 29-year-old was jailed by a London court in November last year after being found guilty of conspiring to cheat and conspiring to accept corrupt payments over no-balls bowled deliberately during the 2010 Lord's Test against England.
Team-mates Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir have also been released after being sent to prison in the same case.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) banned the trio from playing all cricket for five years. Asif's seven year sanction includes a two-year suspended portion.
Asif said his appeal in the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had been put on hold due to the criminal proceedings against him in England.
"I had filed the appeal when I was banned by the ICC (in February 2011) and now I have decided to pursue my appeal through my counsel Ravi Gill and hope that a date is given to me very soon," Asif told AFP from London.
Once considered a fast-rising talent, Asif twice failed dope tests, in 2006 and 2008, the second during the inaugural Indian Premier League season which ended in a one-year ban.
He was also detained in Dubai for 19 days in June 2008 for possession of a banned drug.
Asif said he was practising hard and played a club match in England on Monday, taking a hat-trick and winning the man-of-the-match award, and was keen to resume his international career.
"I hope that I will get a fair result from the CAS and then hopefully able to revive my career," said Asif, who has yet to return home since being released from prison in May.
"If I don't get an early date then I will return to Pakistan and whenever I get a date then I will go to Switzerland. It has been a tough period, without cricket and away from home but I am sure it’s going to be over soon," said Asif.
Asif has taken 106 wickets in 23 Tests. His tally in 38 one-day internationals stood at 46. He also played 11 Twenty20s for Pakistan, taking 13 wickets.
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I get a headache at the thought of what talent we lost, you people dont know how good Asif was in only 22 test matches he was averaging 23.18 which is better then the so called future ATG Dale Steyn who is averaging only 23.50.
He would of been our best bowler in history and if he carried on the best of all time getting his average in the 20s or even 19s. Yes Muhammed Amir is another talent but he has yet to prove how good he is in the Subcontinent pitches, but without no doubt he would of also been a future ATG and still has the opportunity to, however Asif now 32 doesent get his ban lowered his career will be destroyed being 36 when he is allowed to play.
I wish M.Asif talent belonged to someone who was patriotic to the country so we wouldent lose this rare talent. :( I wish the ICC will bring him back in a year though impossible alongside Amir.
Pakistan cricket and cricket as a whole is dieing without them.
Who benefits the most, if a talented pakistani fast bowler is banned? This is a conspiracy where some enemies have trapped pakistani players. Asif must approach CJ, who delivers justice! Indian bowlers bowl no-balls all the time, but only pakistani bowlers are punished, this is real double standards!
Once a cheater, always a cheater. Asif has proved that a number of times.
Everyone- including Asif- is entitled to the right of appeal.
its Ok if Amir come back but Salman and Asif ......Never
though once i wished for lifeban on him, but with the present condition of pak pace attack, i changed my mind. i want him to be part of the team.
Now he will AGAIN be promoted as a HERO by the Media of our country. He will be all over the news. Just wait and see!
of course he will get the support from Pakistani fans, to us everything is a conspiracy against us and we are and will always be victims of the 'Indian/Zionist lobby'. I wasn't surprised when Salman Butt was showered with rose petals on this return home from prison. Their another partner 'Kamran Akmal' is playing anyway so he is good to go.
one feels sad to see such a Talent go down the drain.....
I think Asif should go for it and enjoy his right, While all three players claimed to be innocent but we had no parameter to measure their claims, I feel happy internally that some one come for the hard examination before the world.
I hate the cheaters. I hate repeat cheaters even more
No one in Pakistan willing to go by himself, every one wants he should be thrown out, from Politicians to Players !
It doesnt matter ICC either reduce ban or not but for sure we will never forgive you, You are dishonest, greedy and unpatriotic ex-cricketer.
This guy will never learn
Must be feeling the pinch. He was found gullty and sentenced. He brought disrepute to the country and its people. He should be shuned by ALL.
Ok Asif keep a beard and file your case in SC of Pakistan, you’ll win for sure!