Asif out of first two ODIs

Mohammad Asif

Pakistan paceman Mohammad Asif will miss the first two one-day internationals against touring South Africa with an elbow injury.

Asif, who hurt his elbow in the second Test against the Proteas at Lahore, has been given more time to recover and get ready for the remaining three one-dayers of the series.

The 24-year-old will miss Thursday’s game in Lahore and also the second match, to be played on the same venue on Saturday.

The decision was taken keeping Pakistan’s next month tour to India in mind, which would include a five-match one-day series and three Tests.

Asif has been Pakistan’s pace spearhead of late and has 51 wickets from just 11 Tests.