Pakistan selectors are keenly observing pace duo of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif ahead of their cricket tour of India from next month.
Chief Selector Salahuddin Ahmed said Asif and Shoaib, if 100 per cent fit, would be Pakistan's main bowlers in India and could carry the attack through.
"They are proven performers and match winners so having them spearheading the attack is very important for us particularly against India," he said.
Asif has missed the first three one-day internationals against South Africa due to an elbow injury while Akhtar recently returned to playing domestic cricket after being banned for 13 international matches by the Board on four counts of misconduct.
"We see Asif as an important element of the bowling attack in India, and we don't want to rush him back. As it is, the present lot are doing well. So we don't want to rush him back into the side. It is better he gets a good rest before the Indian tour," Salahuddin said.
He said a member of the national selection committee, Saleem Jaffer, was also sent to Rawalpindi to watch Shoaib Akhtar bowling in a first class match.
Chief Selector Salahuddin Ahmed said Asif and Shoaib, if 100 per cent fit, would be Pakistan's main bowlers in India and could carry the attack through.
"They are proven performers and match winners so having them spearheading the attack is very important for us particularly against India," he said.
Asif has missed the first three one-day internationals against South Africa due to an elbow injury while Akhtar recently returned to playing domestic cricket after being banned for 13 international matches by the Board on four counts of misconduct.
"We see Asif as an important element of the bowling attack in India, and we don't want to rush him back. As it is, the present lot are doing well. So we don't want to rush him back into the side. It is better he gets a good rest before the Indian tour," Salahuddin said.
He said a member of the national selection committee, Saleem Jaffer, was also sent to Rawalpindi to watch Shoaib Akhtar bowling in a first class match.
