Asif happy to assume spearhead role

Mohammad Asif, the Pakistan fast bowler, has said he is ready to spearhead his team's bowling attack during their tour of England following the absence of Shoaib Akhtar and the likely unavailability of Rana Naved-ul-Hasan.

Akhtar, who bowled excellently against England in the winter, was ruled out of the 16-man party following an ankle injury, while Rana faces possible surgery on his damaged groin. If ruled out, Rana could be replaced with Mushtaq Ahmed, who turns 36 on Wednesday, or the left-armer Samiullah Niazi.

"It is a great challenge to be the spearhead of Pakistan's attack and I am ready for it," said Asif at Karachi airport, prior to Pakistan's flight to England.

Asif hit the headlines with his ten-wicket match haul against England in a warm-up match during England's tour last year, and took seven wickets to help Pakistan beat India in the third and final Test in Karachi earlier this year. He has also benefited from a brief spell in county cricket with Leicestershire.

"Inzamam and [Bob] Woolmer have always told me to believe in my abilities," Asif said, "and I have tried my best to fulfill the confidence they showed in me. I will try to do that again during the England tour.

"Playing in England has proved to be a great benefit and I hope I can utilise my county experience when I play against England."