Banned Pakistan speedster Mohammad Asif will begin preparations for a return to international cricket with a training stint in England beginning later this week.
Banned Pakistan speedster Mohammad Asif will begin preparations for a return to international cricket with a training stint in England beginning later this week.
The 26-year-old was found guilty of using the banned drug nandrolone during the Indian Premier League (IPL) last year and was banned by an IPL drugs tribunal for a year.
The ban, which was endorsed by the Pakistan Cricket Board, expires in September, and Asif is hoping to return for the Champions Trophy in South Africa.
"We have prepared a fitness regime for him that will help him recover both mentally and physically from the setbacks of last year," said Salman Ahmed, an official at Asif's management company.
"The plan is to have Asif work under expert trainers in England for at least four weeks and then start playing league cricket there.
"We have applied for a work permit which should be ready in about a month's time.
"Once it's ready, we will work out a contract for him with some club in England."
Salman indicated that several clubs in Cambridge and Manchester have show interest in Asif's services.
"Asif will need a series of matches to regain full fitness," Salman added.
"We are targeting the Champions Trophy and we are confident he will be match fit by then."
According to Salman, Asif will return to Pakistan in August for a final training stint ahead of the Champions Trophy.
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