'Dope-tainted' Asif hopeful of playing in Abu Dhabi series

Lahore, May 1 (UNI) After missing the Caribbean World Cup due to injury and doping-related problems, Pakistan's pacer Mohammad Asif now hope of making a comeback to international cricket in the upcoming Abu Dhabi series.

Asif, who was earlier withdrawn from Pakistan's 15-man World Cup squad fearing a positive dope test, said that he has completely recovered from an elbow injury which he sustained during South Africa tour earlier this year and is now eagerly looking forward to the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi later this month.

''I am fully focused on making a successful comeback with the series in Abu Dhabi,'' Asif was quoted by The News as saying.

In last September, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had banned Asif and fellow pacer Shoaib Akhtar for taking anabolic steroid nandrolone.

However, an appeals tribunal later cleared the bowlers, a decision that was challenged by the World Anti-Doping Agency in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

But the PCB did not take any risk and withdrew both the pacers from the Caribbean bound squad just two days prior to the start of the mega event.

The 21-year-old lanky pacer, however, pin pointed his present focus saying, ''My sights are now set on resuming international career.'' ''I don't not fear any doping ban,'' he added.

UNI