Don't put pressure on Asif, says Younis Khan

Islamabad:

Pakistan captain Younis Khan is hoping that Mohammad Asif does not come under too much pressure when the fast bowler makes his comeback from a doping ban in this month's Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Asif has not competed since being banned for a year after testing positive for the banned substance nandrolone during the Indian Premier League in 2008.

The Pakistan Cricket Board also fined the paceman rupees 1 million ($12,200) for his 19-day detention in Dubai last year where a small amount of opium was found in his wallet.

"Please don't put too much pressure on Asif," Khan told reporters at Saturday's start to a five-day training camp in Karachi. "We should not put expectations on Asif because he has not played over a year."

"One can't expect him to take six wickets straight away and it will be amazing if he comes back and does well."

Asif's ban will end on Sept. 22 _ a day before Pakistan takes on the West Indies. He will not be playing the first match and the Pakistan team management has not made up its mind whether to include the fast bowler in a crunch game against India on Sept. 26.

"Asif will be joining the team on Sept. 23 and we will see if he plays the second game against India," coach Intikhab Alam said.

"It is not necessary that he plays against India but he is keen and is in a good mental state."

The fast bowler has been training separately for the last three weeks and bowled in practice matches during a camp organized by former test wicketkeeper Rasid Latif for emerging players in Karachi.

"Asif should be given more time to come back into rhythm and we will not be putting extra pressure on him," Alam said.

Khan, who led Pakistan to victory in the Twenty20 World Cup in England in June, was optimistic about his team's chances in the 50-over-a-side matches of Champions Trophy.

"We have worked hard in our training for it (title) and we are confident of doing well in South Africa," he said.