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Karachi: Pakistan’s tainted pacer Mohammed Asif, who served a jail sentence after being found guilty of spot-fixing, has dismissed speculation that he intended to apply for political asylum in the United Kingdom.
“I am training hard and regularly to keep myself fit and I am also preparing to file appeals against my convictions in the spot fixing case,” Asif said.
Asif was released from a prison in Canterbury last month after completing a 12-month jail sentence in the spot-fixing case.
He has preferred to remain in London and said he was been helping his legal team to finalise his appeal against his two convictions at the Southwark Crown Court that relate to spot-fixing allegations.
Asif said he still wished to clear his name in the whole scandal.
“I am training regularly these days. I spend a lot of time speaking to my family over the phone and over the Internet. I am hopeful that I will play for Pakistan as I played before.”
“There is no question of applying for political asylum in Britain. Those who run away from Pakistan apply for asylum. I want to return to Pakistan as soon as possible. I intend to return to Pakistan and play for my country,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has initially rejected Pakistan Cricket Board's request to allow it to host more than three T20 matches against Australia in August-September.
The ICC has advised the PCB to take up the issue for discussion at the Chief Executive's meeting to be held in Kuala Lumpur at the end of June.
"We had requested the ICC to allow us organise a series of more than three T20 matches against Australia in the coming series but the ICC instead has advised us that this matter should be discussed at the Chief Executive meeting," PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed said. (PTI)
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