AFP/Lahore

Disgraced Pakistan paceman Mohamed Asif told AFP yesterday he was ready to face fans’ abuse when he returns to cricket after a five-year ban for spot-fixing, vowing to change their minds with his performances.
Asif is free to play again from September 2 after the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced he had completed his punishment for his part in a 2010 spot-fixing scandal in England.
Asif, new ball partner Mohamed Amir and former captain Salman Butt were banned from all forms of the game for arranging deliberate no-balls during the Lord’s Test against England in 2010 in return for money in a deal with an undercover tabloid reporter.
The ICC relaxed the ban on Amir earlier in the year, allowing him to play domestic matches, and said Wednesday Butt and Asif would be eligible from next month.
Asif told AFP he was relieved—and braced for the abuse that may accompany his return to the field.
“What if people shout and call me a cheat? I am ready for that because I have taken every tough thing in the last five years on the chin, so let the fans show their anger,” he told AFP by phone from Lahore.
“I committed a mistake, for which I have asked for forgiveness from Allah almighty and have also said sorry to the nation, so I am ready to face any more anger and I am sure my deeds and my bowling will change views about me.”

‘WE’VE DONE OUR TIME’
Some in the game have said the shamed trio should not be allowed to return, including former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif who told AFP they could still damage the side and did not deserve to wear the national colours.
But Asif insists he is a changed man.
“People should accept the fact that we have completed our punishment,” he said. “I have made a resolution: to change people’s opinions and not to make the same mistake again.”  
As well as the bans from cricket all three served prison sentences in Britain for their part in the scam.
Butt said Misbah-ul-Haq, still captaining the Test side aged 41, was a motivating figure as he makes his return—also insisting he has turned over a new leaf.
“My target is to perform whatever cricket I get, rest is on the selectors. My aim is to keep myself fit and score,” Butt told reporters.
“There’s no doubt that Misbah is an inspiration for all throughout the cricketing world. He is also inspiration to me as he keeps himself fit at such an age.”
Asif, who is gearing up to play in the domestic Twenty20 competition starting next month, has also set his sights on a return to internationals.
“It’s an open ground for everyone, if I perform, get my rhythm back then I will be selected for Pakistan again, for which I am very keen,” he said.
Imran Khan once rated Asif as Pakistan’s best new-ball bowler at the time, but at 32 years old he may struggle to reach the heights of his early years.
Even before the spot-fixing scandal Asif had been a controversial figure, after failing two dope tests, the last of which in India’s domestic Twenty20 league earned him a one-year ban in 2008.