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Mohammad Asif signs for Leicestershire

Leicestershire have signed Mohammad Asif, the Pakistan fast bowler, for the 2006 season

Cricinfo staff
30-Nov-2005


Asif took 7 for 62 against England in a warm-up game before the Test series © AFP
Leicestershire have signed Mohammad Asif, the Pakistan fast bowler, for the 2006 season. Asif, 22, was named in Pakistan's squad for the third Test against England, and took 7 for 62, and 10 wickets in the match, against the tourists in a warm-up game preceding the Tests at Lahore.
However, he could miss the second half of the season if he is named in Pakistan's squad to tour England next year - a four-Test tour which begins on July 13 at Lord's.
"I'm sure we will hear a lot more about Mohammad in the years ahead and hope he makes a big impact here," Neil Davidson, Leicestershire's chairman, told the club's website. "He certainly impressed Phil Whitticase when he played for our Second XI in the 2004 season and we were on his trail when he shot to prominence with his match-winning performance against England."
Asif made his Test debut against Australia in January, and although he went wicketless, Davidson has seen plenty of promise from the young bowler:
"He should complement the crop of talented young players coming through at Grace Road as we look to develop the squad. There is the possibility that he won't be with us for the second half of the season, but we have to consider the longer term picture and we feel we have acquired an exciting international talent.
"He is a tall, lanky bowler with the ability to generate great pace. He certainly proved to be a handful when he played for our Second XI and we felt back then that he was one we should keep a close eye on."