I will let the ball do the talking for me: Muhammad Asif
Asif confident he can catch attention of selectors but says there's still sometime till he's considered for Pakistan
"I am rehabilitating myself now and want to make a fresh impression whenever I get the chance to play," said Asif. PHOTO: AFP
The former exiled cricketer Muhammad Asif is confident that after getting in to his bowling rhythm he will be able to regain his spot in the national team,
Read: Salman Butt wants to return as soon as possible
"I don't know what is going to happen in next few days, weeks or months. It is too early to talk about playing for Pakistan. But yes one thing I know once I play domestic cricket and get my rhythm back, I will let the ball do the talking for me," Asif said according to Press Trust of India.
In 2011, the pacer, along with Salman Butt and Muhammad Amir, was banned for spot fixing however the International Cricket Council (ICC) has recently said the tainted players can return to domestic and international cricket once their five-year ban ends on September 1.
Read: The Butt and Asif conundrum: ICC has placed the ball in our court, says PCB official
The Pakistan Cricket Board, however, is dissatisfied with the current state of affairs as it seeks more details on the matter from ICC. Furthermore, the PCB has hinted that Asif and Butt might not be able to play for the Lahore Blues in the National T20 Championship due to being from September 1 in Rawalpindi.
However, Asif continues to fight his case, insisting that he has met all the conditions stipulated by the Anti-corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).
"I have accepted responsibility for my actions and have apologised several times for that. I am rehabilitating myself now and want to make a fresh impression whenever I get the chance to play," Asif said.
Several members of the cricketing community have openly spoken against allowing the cricketers to return. Asif stated that he does not feel bad about players, current and former, voicing their opinions.
Read: Javed Miandad critical of banned trio's return
"I accept that but at same time I only say how can you judge someone without giving him a second chance. I know I have changed and I just want to play cricket again," Asif said adding that "Some people are making judgments too early but let us first play domestic cricket and see how it goes. If I do well, fine. If I can't do well and impress the selectors, so be it.
"It is not the end for me. But I know what I am capable off. I just need some time to get my rhythm back. I won several matches for Pakistan with my bowling and I know I can do it. My belief is if you perform well it speaks for itself."
The 33-year-old who is a firm believer in granting second chances, used to be Pakistan’s premier new ball bowler before he was found guilty of spot-fixing.
"Everyone makes mistakes and I have made plenty of them but that does not mean it will happen again or I can't change myself. But once we have served our punishment, why talk about not playing us it would be like a second punishment for us for the same crime," he said.
Read: Salman Butt wants to return as soon as possible
"I don't know what is going to happen in next few days, weeks or months. It is too early to talk about playing for Pakistan. But yes one thing I know once I play domestic cricket and get my rhythm back, I will let the ball do the talking for me," Asif said according to Press Trust of India.
In 2011, the pacer, along with Salman Butt and Muhammad Amir, was banned for spot fixing however the International Cricket Council (ICC) has recently said the tainted players can return to domestic and international cricket once their five-year ban ends on September 1.
Read: The Butt and Asif conundrum: ICC has placed the ball in our court, says PCB official
The Pakistan Cricket Board, however, is dissatisfied with the current state of affairs as it seeks more details on the matter from ICC. Furthermore, the PCB has hinted that Asif and Butt might not be able to play for the Lahore Blues in the National T20 Championship due to being from September 1 in Rawalpindi.
However, Asif continues to fight his case, insisting that he has met all the conditions stipulated by the Anti-corruption and Security Unit (ACSU).
"I have accepted responsibility for my actions and have apologised several times for that. I am rehabilitating myself now and want to make a fresh impression whenever I get the chance to play," Asif said.
Several members of the cricketing community have openly spoken against allowing the cricketers to return. Asif stated that he does not feel bad about players, current and former, voicing their opinions.
Read: Javed Miandad critical of banned trio's return
"I accept that but at same time I only say how can you judge someone without giving him a second chance. I know I have changed and I just want to play cricket again," Asif said adding that "Some people are making judgments too early but let us first play domestic cricket and see how it goes. If I do well, fine. If I can't do well and impress the selectors, so be it.
"It is not the end for me. But I know what I am capable off. I just need some time to get my rhythm back. I won several matches for Pakistan with my bowling and I know I can do it. My belief is if you perform well it speaks for itself."
The 33-year-old who is a firm believer in granting second chances, used to be Pakistan’s premier new ball bowler before he was found guilty of spot-fixing.
"Everyone makes mistakes and I have made plenty of them but that does not mean it will happen again or I can't change myself. But once we have served our punishment, why talk about not playing us it would be like a second punishment for us for the same crime," he said.