Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net chief selector Iqbal Qasim stated that Muhammad Asif was selected after some close monitoring by the selectors".

Qasim stated "Obviously when you are selecting a team for any tournament you always keep in mind the proifle of the tournament, venue, weather, bahaviour of the pitches and bounce. All these factors were considered before final selection".

The former left arm spinner continued " No doubt Asif has not played any first class cricket of late, but he has been playing club cricket and gone through a very tough fitness test under the supervision of Rashid Latif who is camp camandent of the ongoing Under 23 Camp. He also played in practice matches and bowled long spells. I along with my fellow selectors watched him very closely bowling at the National Stadium Karachi during the training camp".

It remains to be seen whether the gamble by the selectors regarding Asif pays dividends and Asif who was desperate to get back into the Pakistan team will see this as a last chance after previous off field problems.