Mohammad Asif could after all be bowling in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The chances are that the Pakistan pacer, back in international cricket after serving a one-year ban for a positive dope test, could be considered as a replacement player for the IPL III.
He, however, is not part of the January 19 auction. IPL officials and his agents in Pakistan have confirmed to DNA that the 27-year-old troubled pacer has been in touch with the league officials. “He’s very keen to be play in IPL. He has got all-clear from the
government and can also travel to India,” Lina, his agent in Lahore told this paper. “He has got in touch with the IPL authorities. We understand that he will not be part of the auction,” she added.
Asif, currently playing for Pakistan in Hobart, could not be reached for comment but a top IPL official confirmed to that he is in the replacement list. The franchisees can a replace an injured foreign player with another. For instance, Chennai can sign another player in place of Andrew Flintoff who is ruled out for the IPL III. That arrangement, however, will be outside the auction.
Asif had a successful comeback, particularly in the recent Sydney Test where Pakistan came close to beating Australia. Before getting a one-year ban for a negative dope test conducted during IPL I in 2008, Asif had played for Delhi Daredevils.
