Waqar Younis says he is confident that fast bowler Mohammad Asif is ready for Pakistan's hectic Test match schedule over the next two months.
Pakistan play Australia twice and England four times in the space of seven weeks and 27-year-old Asifis expected to be a key member of their pace attack.The first Test against Australia starts at Lord's on Tuesday, and Asif warmed up with 17 overs in four short spells against Leicestershire at Grace Road on the first day of a two-day match.
Asif failed to take a wicket as Leicestershire closed on 277 for six but Pakistan coach Waqar said: "We did not want to put too much stress on any one individual. We wanted short spells from him. He has played quite a bit of cricket recently and has just had a couple of weeks' rest.
"He looks fresh. The pitch was slow and did not suit him. You can't judge someone on that pitch. But he's our premier bowler and I am really trusting him. I feel he's ready and he will be fine for the Australian game."
Waqar also dismissed fears of an injury problem for seamer Tanvir Ahmed, who came off the field in the middle of his 14th over having earlier taken two wickets.
He said: "Tanvir had cramp, that was all. He only arrived in this country on Wednesday night so he was suffering a bit of jet lag and such. But there is no problem.
"The wicket was not conducive to what we were really looking for but we got in a fair amount of bowling on the day and that's what we needed. If we can bat for 90 overs it will be good but we do not have a lot of time before that first Test."
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