June 05, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 30, 1429

LAHORE, June 4: Medium pacer Sohail Khan has been named to replace Mohammad Asif for the forthcoming limited-overs tri-series starting in Bangladesh from June 8.

This was announced on Wednesday by chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed.

Sohail’s name was included in the list of five reserve players announced on Monday along with the 16-member regular squad for the tournament also featuring India.

However, after Tuesday’s reports regarding Asif’s detention at the Dubai airport for allegedly carrying a contraband substance, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had to come up with a substitute.

“As Sohail was the lone medium pacer in the reserves’ list, he had to be our first choice to replace Asif,” the chief selector told Dawn.

“Asif’s absence is no doubt a great loss to the national team but the upcoming Sohail too has the talent to deliver,” he added.

Salahuddin further stated that the selectors had picked Asif in the 16-member squad named earlier while not having any knowledge about his detention.

It seems the PCB authorities asked the selectors to announce the replacement after sensing the bowler’s case might linger on.

Moreover, even if Asif is released in the next couple of days, he might not be mentally ready to participate in an international event.

Though Sohail, taking a record 91 wickets in his debut year, is impressive at the domestic level, he has yet to prove himself at the international scene.

So far, the promising paceman has only played three ODIs, claiming four wickets with a best of three for 30 against Bangladesh.

Recently, Sohail also attended a short training camp for fast bowlers in Lahore where legendary Wasim Akram imparted training to 16 bowlers.