PCB gags Asif until dope ban's expiry

Karachi:

Dope-tainted Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif has been issued strict instructions by the PCB to avoid speaking to the media on any subject until his 12-month ban ends on September 22.

Asif, who has been picked in Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad despite serving the ban for having tested positive in the Indian Premier League last year, has been told by Pakistan Cricket Board's Director (Cricket Operations) Zakir Khan to avoid the media.

"Asif got calls from Zakir while he was training at the emerging players camp in Karachi that since he was under a ICC ban he must avoid speaking to the media particularly about the Champions Trophy," one well placed source said.

The ICC has already told the PCB to ensure that Asif does not train with the national team at the 10-day conditioning camp as he is still serving his 12-month ban that ends on the day the Champions Trophy starts in Johannesburg.

"Zakir wasn't pleased when some statements of Asif appeared in the media and he immediately called up Asif to tell him about the ICC conditions," the source said.

Asif played in a Ramazan tournament match in Karachi on Saturday night and looked a bit rusty making it obvious that he needed more time to recover his full match fitness for the Champions Trophy.