Search in grass as asked (9)

I believe the answer is:

requested

'asked' is the definition.
('request' can be a synonym of 'ask')

'search in grass' is the wordplay.
'search' becomes 'quest' (I've seen this before).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'grass' becomes 'reed' (I've seen this before).
'quest' put inside 'reed' is 'REQUESTED'.

'as' is the link.

(Another definition for requested that I've seen is " Asked for".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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