Injury-hit pacer Mohammad Asif today advised Pakistani fast bowlers to make maximum use of the new ball and extract reverse swing to make it an exciting contest on the spin friendly pitch in the first cricket Test against India.“From the look of things they are going to have tracks that help the spinners. So one has to ensure that he makes maximum lethal use of the new ball and work on extracting reverse swing,” Asif said before the opener to be played at Ferozeshah Kotla ground in Delhi.Asif, who pulled out of the one-day series against India due to elbow injury, will also miss the three-match Test series as he has not recuperated properly.“I don’t know whether I will require a surgery or not for it. But right now I am following a rehabilitation programme advised by the team physiotherapist. I am being sent to Australia to get a final diagnosis for the elbow,” Asif said.The mainstay in the Pakistan bowling attack, Asif also said he was extremely disappointed not to be in India. “But we still have a good bowling attack and I know our players will get a much better and more consistent performance,” he said. A Pakistan Cricket Board official said the doctors were confident Asif would be fit before the home series against World Champions Australia next year in April-May.“We are taking no risks with him and hopefully his consulting a sports medicine specialist will help,” the official said.
