March 28, 2008	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 19, 1429

LAHORE, March 27: Pakistan’s pace spearhead Mohammad Asif on Thursday said he has been barred from playing for English county Surrey this season as he recovers from an elbow injury.

Asif signed for Surrey in October but has been denied clearance by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which believes the English season is putting extra strain on its players.

“I am not going to play for Surrey this year. It would have been a great honour to play for them but the PCB has not allowed me due to a hectic international schedule,” Asif said.

Umar Gul, another injury-plagued fast bowler, has also been barred by the PCB which is hosting the Asia Cup in July and the ICC Champions Trophy in September.

Only leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and all-rounder Yasir Arafat have been cleared for this year’s English season. Kaneria will play for Essex while Arafat has signed for Kent.

Asif, 25, is recovering from an elbow surgery suffered in Australia in December last year. He has not played since a One-day International against South Africa in October and has been ruled out of next month’s home one-day series with Bangladesh.

The paceman faces a race against time to be fit for next month’s Indian Premier League, when he is scheduled to play for Delhi.

“I have started bowling four to five overs in the net and hope to be back at my full fitness later next month,” Asif said.—AFP