Dark Future Ahead For Asif?

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has hinted that the future of Mohammed Asif is looking rather grim and that the fast bowler might struggle to return to the squad.
As if the recent injuries plaguing the bowler weren't enough, Asif is currently being detained in Dubai after allegedly being in possession of a banned substance. He will be detained until Sunday, when a hearing is scheduled, and has subsequently lost his seat on the plane to Bangladesh after being replaced by Sohail Khan.
"There is no doubt that Asif is a good bowler but we have other good bowlers who can step up and take their chances," Malik told reporters in Karachi.
"We have Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Rao Iftikhar and Sohail so the attack is in good hands."
However Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson remained sympathetic towards the notorious bowler.
"It's unfortunate and would be disruptive for Asif," he said. "Personally I don't know the facts, we feel for him. We hope it turns out well for him. It is very unfortunate, we have been thinking about him, he has been missing quite often but was making a successful comeback from injury.
"It would have been one more step on his way back to full form so from that point of view it's disruptive.
"Sohail has come in Asif's place and has shown promise, so one person's misfortune is another's good fortune."
After the extensive IPL, Lawson views the tri-series as the perfect opportunity for his players to re-adjust and tweak their style back into one-day mode. This comes just in time for the Asia Cup, which starts in Pakistan on June 24.
"The guys have been playing 20-over cricket for five weeks so they will be in that frame of mind so they need to come back in the 50-overs frame and Bangladesh will be the first step," Lawson said. "It's just a nice little tournament to have in between major events.
Lawson also denied accusations of criticizing senior players for not performing to standards. The reports stemmed from a radio interview Lawson did in Sydney, which caused a furor in Pakistan and led to speculation that the coach might be on his way out.
"I never said anything about senior players," he said. "They have all to go to higher levels, so we are working better than before."