Pakistan's Asif and Naved cleared to join England tour

KARACHI, Aug 14 (Reuters) Pakistan bowlers Mohammad Asif and Rana Naved have been cleared to join the tour squad in England and could be considered for the final test at the Oval starting on Thursday, chief selector Wasim Bari said today.

Bari told Reuters that both would leave for England today after the team management agreed they should join the team.

Asif had returned home before the first test at Lord's with an elbow injury while Rana Naved was ruled out with a groin problem.

Asif, who has taken 25 wickets in five tests, was initially scheduled to leave earlier for England but was held back after the team management said they did not require him for the Oval test.

But a board official said they had now had a change of mind.

The absence of Asif, Naved and fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was felt by Pakistan which lost the second and third tests by big margins.

''Rana bowled eight overs yesterday under the supervision of the doctors and they have cleared him now from his groin problem,'' Bari said.

''Asif was declared fit some time ago. But whether the team management decides to play them at the Oval is entirely their decision.'' Bari said the team management would obviously look at the prevailing conditions and try out Asif and Naved in the nets before deciding selection.

Bari added there would be no team announcement for the five one-day internationals which follow the Twenty20match against England and after consultations with the team management some players would just be sent home.

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