Asif returns to Pakistan colours

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Asif returns to Pakistan colours --------------------------------- Controversial paceman Mohammad Asif has been included in a 17-man squad to play three Test matches on their tour of South Africa starting in January. Asif was banned for a year on 1 November after testing positive for banned nandrolone but won an appeal a month later and was free to play. Shoaib Akhtar, banned for two years before also winning an appeal, has been left out of the squad as he is unfit. And there is no room for Shabbir Ahmed, who is available after a one-year ban. Shabbir's suspension was not drugs related. A fast bowler with a good Test record, he has had an illegal bowling action corrected. But Mohammad Sami and Shahid Nazir, with more modest Test averages and strike rates, retain their squad spots. Asif has taken 30 wickets in his last five Tests but has not faced South Africa before. The squad, led by Inzamam-ul-Haq, has nine batsmen, two wicket-keepers, five fast bowlers and one spinner. Pakistan play three Tests from 11 January. Five one-day internationals follow and an adjusted squad for that series will be announced in due course. Pakistan's Test squad: ----------------------- Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Younis Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousuf, Faisal Iqbal, Asim Kamal, Kamran Akmal, Zulqarnain Haider, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Asif, Danish Kaneria, Shahid Nazir, Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami.