June 18, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 13, 1429

KARACHI, June 17: Mohammad Asif’s prolonged detention in Dubai has left the entire Pakistan team concerned, says coach Geoff Lawson, who wants to have the embattled pacer back in the side as soon as he is released.

Asif has been in detention after being caught with a small quantity of contraband drugs at the Dubai airport on June 1.

Lawson said the Pakistan players might be busy celebrating their ODI tri-series win over India but they are equally concerned about their detained team-mate.

“We are praying and hoping for his early release and I would love to see Asif back in the side,” Lawson told reporters after reaching Lahore from Dhaka.

“Everyone in the team has been talking about him not only as a cricketer but also as a person.”

Although impressed with Sohail Tanvir and Wahab Riaz, who spearheaded the Pakistan bowling attack in Asif’s absence, Lawson said the two needed more time before rising to Asif’s stature.

“They are good but I would still love to see Asif back in the side,” he stated.

Asif’s case is being heard by the Dubai Attorney General and is expected to take another 10 to 12 days before it is decided if the pacer would be charged or released.

On the Bangladesh tri-series, Lawson said Pakistan’s defeat to India in the group match was due to the fact that in the last few months Shoaib Malik’s men had been playing weak oppositions in Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

“I think switching from the Twenty20 format to one-dayers took some time for the players and that led to our big defeat,” he stated.

“You have to understand that winning against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh is fine but India is in a different league and you have to play to a different standard to beat them.

“I am happy that our players bounced back so soon to form in the final,” Lawson expressed.The former Australian fast bowler further said that the final win was satisfactory as the team came out trumps despite being under intense pressure.

“Playing against India is always a pressure match for Pakistan. And to do well in the final was a good step forward and would do us good in the Asia Cup,” he hoped.

Lawson also praised the contribution of Salman Butt but said he needed to be more consistent.

“Salman has improved a lot but still needs to work harder and get more runs under his belt which is the hallmark of a great player,” he noted. —Agencies