Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net from Karachi, National Cricket Academy coach and former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif stated that the forthcoming match against Australia was the ideal opportunity to give medium fast bowler Mohammad Asif a chance in the starting line up.

“Pakistan are already through to the semi finals and they must keep the momentum going, but I think the match against Australia would be the ideal time to play Asif. There are 2 reasons why I think Asif should play. Firstly should there be any injuries amongst the bowlers for the semi final or the final, you will then have a reserve bowler in your squad who has already played in at least one of the matches, rather than a bowler who is coming into an important match without any previous matches in this tournament under his belt. Also, if Asif performs well against Australia, then you have a lot of competition for places amongst the bowlers and none of them will feel like that they are an automatic selection in the starting eleven" stated Latif.

Rashid continued "I was a little surprised that Asif never played in the opening match against the West Indies, especially after seeing how the ball moved around on that surface. It was an ideal pitch for a bowler like Asif. But at the end of the day, the captain and coach know what's best as they are out there with the players and can gauge what is best for the team. Also at the end of the day Pakistan achieved the result that they will have been looking for in the opening match".

Rashid, a former captain of Pakistan further added "The way Younis Khan has led the team has been very impressive and the victory against India was a massive one that will have given the team a lot of confidence. Its clearly visible that the team is comfortable playing under Younis and he is really lifting the morale of the team. The match against Australia is another huge match and one that will test the Pakistan team in different ways to the previous match. Of course its important for Pakistan to beat the Australians for points towards ICC rankings and also for momentum going into the semi finals. In a tournament like this you simply can't plan too far ahead, you have to only think of your next match and that match alone. If you start to think too far ahead, it could be your downfall".