ICC provides relief to Mohammad Asif about his cricketing future

International Cricket Council’s (ICC) has come out clear regarding Mohammad Asif ‘s eligibility of playing competitive cricket. The apex cricketing authority has stated that the trio of Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt, who all served 2010 spot-fixing bans, have not been barred from returning to international cricket and that it solely up to the Pakistan Cricket Board whether to select them or not. Earlier, there were speculations that the ICC had asked the PCB not to allow the three cricketers, especially Asif and Butt, to return to the national side.

“All the three players became eligible to return to domestic and international cricket after their bans expired in September 2015. The ICC has not asked the member board [PCB] to not select them or any one of the three players since they completed the sanctions. It is solely on the discretion of the member board to select these players,” the Express Tribune quoted the ICC spokesperson as saying.

Upon getting this news, tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif has stated that he has decided to shift his focus completely on bowling after the clarification about his future. The 33-year-old, who had earlier revealed that he would write a letter to the ICC to seek an explanation for these speculations, said he is relieved to hear the reply and added that he would now work harder to gain his place back into the national side.

“I was very concerned about my future when these rumors surfaced. That was affecting my performance because I was confused. Now I am clear [on the issue] and will focus completely on my bowling. I have plenty of cricket left in me and will continue to work hard for a return to the national team,” he said.

Asif’s ban from spot-fixing expired at the end of Pakistan’s domestic cricket season last year and he later made his List-A return in the National One-Day Cup , where he bagged a total of seven wickets in as many games at the strike rate of 43. However, his performance couldn’t earn him a spot in the Pakistan Super League, a lucrative domestic T20 league.

Butt, on the other hand, insisted that he never had any doubts about his ability to return to the international fold before adding that this kind of rumours hardly affect him. Butt went on to add that his focus at the moment is to give good performances in domestic cricket and gain national selectors’ attention.

“I was in contention for the World T20 and then the England tour. “This means there was no embargo on my selection from the ICC. I have not contemplated contacting the ICC over my selection and neither have I given any such statement. I am aware that only a good performance in domestic cricket will make my case for a return to the national side and that’s what I am doing,” said Butt.