Asif considers political asylum

Mohammad Asif, one of the cricketers at the centre of the match fixing scandal, is considering making a claim for political asylum in Britain to avoid returning to a potentially violent backlash in Pakistan.

The Daily Telegraph has claimed that the pacer held a 35-minute meeting with an immigration lawyer last Friday, fearing that allegations could make him the target of dangerous criminal gangs linked to the illegal betting underworld.

He went on to discuss the asylum process with the solicitor, from London firm Malik and Malik. Asif suggested he would await the results of investigations before taking the asylum claim further.

The criminal charges carry a potential jail term and the ICC could ban him for life from the sport.

The Pakistan High Commission refused to comment and the manager of the Pakistan team said he was not aware of Asif seeking asylum.