I need to focus on Pakistan, says bowler
PAKISTAN bowler Mohammad Asif has been released from his Indian Premier League contract with the Delhi Daredevils.
The controversial fast bowler, 26, was released from his 650,000 dollar-a-year contract after serving just one year of his three-year deal in the Twenty20 tournament.
“Due to personal reasons I’m having to take this step, and definitely it has not been easy requesting for this as I still have a contract valid for another two seasons, with lucrative financial benefits,” Asif said. “Currently I’m under a tremendous amount of pressure at all ends and need to regain my focus on resolving matters by addressing them individually.
“My only purpose and wish is to play for my nation Pakistan again, and for that I need to disengage from any other cricket engagements and work towards this.”
Asif is due to appear before an IPL drugs tribunal in Mumbai on Saturday after testing positive for the banned steroid nandrolone during the tournament’s opening season last April-May.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has suspended Asif from all forms of cricket in the country pending the outcome of the inquiry.
