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Playing Asif in Champions Trophy is a big gamble: Zaheer

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LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas feels the national selectors have played a big gamble by including out-of-action fast bowler Mohammad Asif in the next month’s ICC Champions Trophy squad.

Asif has not played cricket in the last 16 months since playing in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was included in the 15-man squad though he is still serving a 12-month ban for a doping offence in the first IPL tournament.

The ban will end on September 22, the day the Champions Trophy starts in Johannesburg. “He has not played any cricket since last year and no one knows properly about his match fitness or general fitness condition.

It seems to me a big gamble taken by the selectors to rush Asif into the national team,” Zaheer was quoted as saying.

End.