LONDON, Oct 5: Surrey are eager to confirm the signing of the Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Asif as their overseas player for the year 2008.

Asif has claimed 50 wickets at 21.66 runs apiece in his ten Tests so far, and starred at Surrey’s home ground, The Oval, last year, taking 4 for 56 in the final Test against England before the game degenerated amid the Darrell Hair controversy.

His career has been hampered by injury and controversy – he was suspended for 12 months last year after testing positive for a banned steroid, only for the decision to be overturned on appeal. But since the retirement of Glenn McGrath, he is rapidly emerging as the world’s leading seam bowler.

“We are negotiating and things are going well,” said Surrey’s Cricket Committee chief, Roger Harman, who also confirmed that the West Indian left-arm seamer, Pedro Collins, had joined the club as a Kolpak player on a two-year deal.

The former Australia seamer, Matt Nicholson, could also return to The Oval in 2008 as a Kolpak player if Australia and New Zealand finalise an EU trade agreement.—Agencies