Asif returns to Pakistan Test side after two years

Dope-tainted pacer Mohammad Asif and opening batsman Imran Farhat will return to the Pakistan Test side after over two years in the first Test against New Zealand starting on Tuesday in Dunedin.

According to sources in the Pakistan team, the playing XI for the first Test include Asif and Farhat with Salman Butt, middle order batsman Faisal Iqbal and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria certain to be left out.

"Farhat will open with Khurrum Manzoor, while Asif will be paired with Umar Gul and Muhammad Aamer with Saeed Ajmal playing as the spinner in the XI," a team source said.

He said Asif had been impressive in the three-day tour match and also in the nets, which is why he is being included for the first Test.

Asif, who completed a 12-month ban for a doping offence last September and also spent 19 days in detention in Dubai in June 2008 for possession of small quantity of contraband last played a Test against South Africa at Lahore in October 2007.

He made a comeback to the Pakistan one-day squad in the Champions Trophy in September but played just one match against Australia in the tournament and was forced to sit out of the recent one-day series against New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates because of a ban on travelling to Dubai.

Similarly Farhat's last Test appearance was against South Africa in January 2007 before he joined the rebel Indian Cricket League and was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board from all cricket.

Sources said his half century in the three-day tour match won him the comeback, getting the nod over Salman Butt who apparently had some issues with the team management over his batting position.

Surprisingly, the selectors have decided to play Fawad Alam, ahead of experienced Faisal Iqbal, at the crucial number three position left vacant by Younis Khan.

The selectors have also decided to give young batsman Umar Akmal his first Test cap in preference to Faisal Iqbal.