"I don’t think there is anything special about Sohail Khan, Imran Khan or Rahat Ali" : Mohammad Asif

[Misia]

PCB hierarchy and a lot of the Pakistan fans are being a little over proud with all this, to me it all seems a bit hypothetical to allow for misgivings of one but not another, subject to performance they all should be deserve a 2nd chance. i bet when Asif retires from all forms of cricket PCB would be willing to offer him a coaching role in NCA (rawalpindi express)

 

[QalandarFan]

Aamad has had a poor season, Asif hasn't performed, Junaid Khan is a chucker and Mir lacks place.

Didin't Babar and Sami also have poor FC careers until they came to the Pakistan team. Babar even had a poor tour to England with the A side. Sami's FC record was terrible but both still came to the national side and have been performing decently. Amad and Asif could do the same.

Then Junaid Khan has not been found with an illegal action so how can you say he is a chucker? If he hasn't been found with a suspect action then he's not a chucker. So he should be selected

Since when is pace everything. There are quite a few bowlers on the international stage who lack pace but are still bowling well. Even McGrath, and Asif lacked pace. He averages below 20 in FC and is a very good prospect that should play.

Next time please do not quote me your unwanted opinion which I never asked for, but you keep insisting on quoting me. So I ask you kindly please stop quoting me to express that you do not agree with my opinion.

Thanks.

 

[Mamoon]

Very valid comments, but people are shooting the messenger as usual.

 

[The_Odd_One]

lol whether you care or not does not matter. What matters is the respect Asif has earned from opposition players , that tells his class. He was a proven genius, the second leading Test bowler just behind Steyn, before the unfortunate ban. Had he continued he would have been easily the BEST new ball bowler ever to play for Pak.

Where did Anderson go? Asif was not the 2nd best bowler after Steyn. That's a delusion.

 

[Ellipsism]

Didin't Babar and Sami also have poor FC careers until they came to the Pakistan team. Babar even had a poor tour to England with the A side. Sami's FC record was terrible but both still came to the national side and have been performing decently. Amad and Asif could do the same.

Then Junaid Khan has not been found with an illegal action so how can you say he is a chucker? If he hasn't been found with a suspect action then he's not a chucker. So he should be selected

Since when is pace everything. There are quite a few bowlers on the international stage who lack pace but are still bowling well. Even McGrath, and Asif lacked pace. He averages below 20 in FC and is a very good prospect that should play.

Next time please do not quote me your unwanted opinion which I never asked for, but you keep insisting on quoting me. So I ask you kindly please stop quoting me to express that you do not agree with my opinion.

Thanks.

Isn't that the purpose of a forum? If your not open for discussion or don't want anyone to critique your opinion keep it to yourself.

Babar and Sami have been on the radar since they were in their late teens, they've performed in an arena that is "international standard".

The problem with picking players solely off stats (especially pace bowlers) is the horrible quality pitches that they play on, these pitches are suited to the typical medium pacer; 120-130 kph and can nip the ball around if the pitch offers assistance.

Tabish Khan, Mohammad Abbas etc. pick truckloads of wickets in the QEA trophy. Now, if you take a look at their statistics they create an image that these bowlers are good or in other words quality, contrary to what the statistics show they are in fact quite "average". Hence, performances in the QEA trophy are always taken with a grain of salt.

Then you also have to take into account some of the "shoddy" batsman that the bowlers bowl to. The quality of cricket being played in our most high profiled domestic tournament is simply disgusting; batsman with non existent techniques, bowlers whom aren't skilled, the statistics all paint a false perception.

Such bowlers struggle in high profiled List-A tournaments and sometimes not even picked. Why you may ask, they simply don't have the skill set to get batsman out on flat pitches.

We have a good example in Mir Hamza. He's got these wonderful statistics, yet when he came out of the obscure (QEA Trophy) and into the spotlight i.e playing in the PSL he was extremely mediocre. I understand he only bowled a few overs, but why do you think he only bowled a couple of overs? Mir played under Mickey Arthur, but have we heard Mickey say anything in regards to Mir Hamza? I'm sure if Mickey was impressed he would at least mention his name. I understand that the shorter formats aren't Mir's cup of tea but the form of the game does not need to be taken into account to judge the mantle of a player.

Pace isn't everything and I agree with what you said, but Mir isn't a McGrath, Philander or an Asif. He's a decent medium pacer whom can do a job on a pitch that offers assistance. Thus, he isn't a feasible option in most venues.

(I'm not trying to be rude or target you personally, but have you even seen Mir play?)

Let's not get hypothetical here and start the "what if" business. I think Aamad is a good player but he has been out of form this season. Mickey along with Sarfraz said that Aamad is undercooked and is not ready for the international stage.

In Asif's case, he has just returned from an injury has not performed this season. The selectors themselves are attending games and I'm certain that if they were awed with Asif they would pick him (same applies to Mir).

 

[Dr_Bassim]

I am just shocked people are defending Asif over his inopportune comments.

The question is not whether he is right or not. That's oblivious to the matter. What's really terrible is, he wants to criticize his future potential team mates, and then hopes to get into the team.

What's funnier is, that, the same dehati mentality is being shown on Pakpassion by people saying, "he has a right to criticize whoever he wants".

Sure he does, but not when he expects to get a call up from the employer.

I wonder how many people in real life have criticized the company they expect a call up from as being terribly ordinary with terribly ordinary people.

Try it in real life, and see results.

Compare that to Maxwell, in Australia, who criticized and was burned by every player including Steven Smith.

And here in Pakistan we are defending him, as if he is some sort of hero, for his outburst.

No manners, no etiquettes, and that's why we are a 3rd world country, with a fan base that has limited IQ.

 

[Speedster777]

Where did Anderson go? Asif was not the 2nd best bowler after Steyn. That's a delusion.

Asif was the 2nd best Test bowler before his ban. Get your facts straight instead of quoting me in your misinformed opinions.

 

[QalandarFan]

Isn't that the purpose of a forum? If your not open for discussion or don't want anyone to critique your opinion keep it to yourself.
Babar and Sami have been on the radar since they were in their late teens, they've performed in an arena that is "international standard".

The problem with picking players solely off stats (especially pace bowlers) is the horrible quality pitches that they play on, these pitches are suited to the typical medium pacer; 120-130 kph and can nip the ball around if the pitch offers assistance.

Tabish Khan, Mohammad Abbas etc. pick truckloads of wickets in the QEA trophy. Now, if you take a look at their statistics they create an image that these bowlers are good or in other words quality, contrary to what the statistics show they are in fact quite "average". Hence, performances in the QEA trophy are always taken with a grain of salt.

Then you also have to take into account some of the "shoddy" batsman that the bowlers bowl to. The quality of cricket being played in our most high profiled domestic tournament is simply disgusting; batsman with non existent techniques, bowlers whom aren't skilled, the statistics all paint a false perception.

Such bowlers struggle in high profiled List-A tournaments and sometimes not even picked. Why you may ask, they simply don't have the skill set to get batsman out on flat pitches.

We have a good example in Mir Hamza. He's got these wonderful statistics, yet when he came out of the obscure (QEA Trophy) and into the spotlight i.e playing in the PSL he was extremely mediocre. I understand he only bowled a few overs, but why do you think he only bowled a couple of overs? Mir played under Mickey Arthur, but have we heard Mickey say anything in regards to Mir Hamza? I'm sure if Mickey was impressed he would at least mention his name. I understand that the shorter formats aren't Mir's cup of tea but the form of the game does not need to be taken into account to judge the mantle of a player.

Pace isn't everything and I agree with what you said, but Mir isn't a McGrath, Philander or an Asif. He's a decent medium pacer whom can do a job on a pitch that offers assistance. Thus, he isn't a feasible option in most venues.

(I'm not trying to be rude or target you personally, but have you even seen Mir play?)

Let's not get hypothetical here and start the "what if" business. I think Aamad is a good player but he has been out of form this season. Mickey along with Sarfraz said that Aamad is undercooked and is not ready for the international stage.

In Asif's case, he has just returned from an injury has not performed this season. The selectors themselves are attending games and I'm certain that if they were awed with Asif they would pick him (same applies to Mir).

I don't have problem with you critiquing me, but the way you critique. Other people critique me to on this thread but they do it in a better way.

I don't have a problem with you critiquing, in fact its good to hear from other posters, but every time you have you sound rude.

Now I have seen Mir Hamza play in U-19 games. I agree our Domestic standards are rubbish even guys like Kamran Akmal are performing and bowlers you mentioned like Tabish Khan or Abbas. But I honeslty only mention people I've seen play. I know I mention a lot of stats but those are good indicators as to see how good a player is. I never say a player is good unless I've seen them play.

Mir Hamza bowled well on the Eng A tour, he swung the bowl, and he has also gone through the U-19 stages. So if you ask me he deserves a go.

Now you keep on saying that international is not the place for trials, I understand that but we won't be able to see how well Asif can or can not do in Domestics. Even Amir was bowling superbly in domestics.

 

[Statsman]

First there were cries for Amir to return as he was a young naive boy mislead by his seniors and deserved another chance. Now that Amir has returned and not performed up to expectations some folks want Asif back giving excuses like "let's keep emotions aside". Let's be honest here, there were no emotions to be kept aside in the first place and it was always about winning regardless of who plays.

Which is an opinion that one can very well have, but let's not kid ourselves into believing otherwise.

 

[Idrees1990]

everyone calling for his inclusion has no shame. pcb should grow a pair and announce that butt and asif will never play for pakistan again.

Then they should also kick out amir. Double standards will get us nowhere. Why they are after amir when asif was the most talented of three and can give Pakistan more chances of winning.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

It was always about winning regardless of who plays.

Which is an opinion that one can very well have, but let's not kid ourselves into believing otherwise.

It's always been about winning mate !! those who say otherwise are just in self denial...

I for one am completely ok with anyone playing for Pakistan as long as they can help us win and by that I mean ANYONE !!

Heck, if Hitler or Donald Trump could / can help us become the gun team at the moment, I'd welcome him with open arms !!

 

[Ellipsism]

I don't have problem with you critiquing me, but the way you critique. Other people critique me to on this thread but they do it in a better way.

I don't have a problem with you critiquing, in fact its good to hear from other posters, but every time you have you sound rude.

Now I have seen Mir Hamza play in U-19 games. I agree our Domestic standards are rubbish even guys like Kamran Akmal are performing and bowlers you mentioned like Tabish Khan or Abbas. But I honeslty only mention people I've seen play. I know I mention a lot of stats but those are good indicators as to see how good a player is. I never say a player is good unless I've seen them play.

Mir Hamza bowled well on the Eng A tour, he swung the bowl, and he has also gone through the U-19 stages. So if you ask me he deserves a go.

Now you keep on saying that international is not the place for trials, I understand that but we won't be able to see how well Asif can or can not do in Domestics. Even Amir was bowling superbly in domestics.

Amir didn't perform to get in to the national side. He was inducted based on his performances from six years ago and the general hype around his "talent", the same way in which posters are vouching for Asif's selection now.

Mir Hamza's tenure in U-19 Cricket was very limited, he didn't play many games at all.

Mir has performed and does have the ability to perform on the international stage, giving he plays in countries like NZ, SA and England.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

It's always been about winning mate !! those who say otherwise are just in self denial...

I for one am completely ok with anyone playing for Pakistan as long as they can help us win and by that I mean ANYONE !!

Heck, if Hitler or Donald Trump could / can help us become the gun team at the moment, I'd welcome him with open arms !!

True.

However, thinking that Asif would somehow be able to bowl us to victory in Australia after a 5 year sojourn is also highly optimistic.

In fact more likely is the scenario of Asif breaking down, because his body is not ready for international cricket.

Just like he broke down in first class domestics in Pakistan.

The way people rave, you would think Asif would single handedly changed the fortunes of this team in Australia.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

True.

However, thinking that Asif would somehow be able to bowl us to victory in Australia after a 5 year sojourn is also highly optimistic.

In fact more likely is the scenario of Asif breaking down, because his body is not ready for international cricket.

Just like he broke down in first class domestics in Pakistan.

The way people rave, you would think Asif would single handedly changed the fortunes of this team in Australia.

It's the same hyperbole that Amir received prior to his reentry into International cricket. I am not too sure if you remember this but during the time Amir was about to make his come back, there were some posters going around who literally character assassinated anyone who would not vouch for an Amir return.

Players like Hafeez, KP, Swaan and many others were subjected to personal ridicule (here as well as on social media) if they did not agree with Amir making a successful return. Although I myself wanted to see him back in Pakistani colors, but this defaming and hurling insults on someone who has a difference of opinion was really getting on my nerves. Now that Amir has made a comeback and isn't 'as successful' as some may have fantasized / predicted, they are all in arms to call back Asif (prematurely I might add) just because he bowled four nobodies in a given domestic game earlier.

Let me emphasize again that I am NOT AGAINST the reintegration of Asif back into cricket, it's the fact that we're all setting ourselves up for another massive disappointment since essentially we want him back without testing him for any match fitness, form or anything at all. The only argument that people bring is that Asif took x number of wickets almost 6 years back and that should be good enough for selection again

 

[Junaids]

True.

However, thinking that Asif would somehow be able to bowl us to victory in Australia after a 5 year sojourn is also highly optimistic.

In fact more likely is the scenario of Asif breaking down, because his body is not ready for international cricket.

Just like he broke down in first class domestics in Pakistan.

The way people rave, you would think Asif would single handedly changed the fortunes of this team in Australia.

No offence, but you are completely misunderstanding what we in the "Asif Lobby" are arguing.

Have you ever wondered what is meant by the saying "fast bowlers hunt in pairs"? Does it mean you want a Mitchell Starc bowling at each end?

The answer is no.

To attack at one end you need to contain at the other. You need a bowler who can tie the batsmen down with a nagging line and length which is hard to score off.

At present, Mohammad Amir creates some danger at one end with the new ball while Sohail Khan releases the pressure at the other end - even when he takes wickets.

We saw at Adelaide what will happen at Brisbane in the Day/Night Test. Wickets fall when the natural light goes, but during the two sessions of daylight each day the teams score enough runs to defend a total.

Pakistan will get some degree of containment from Amir and Yasir Shah, but it looks as if Wahab Riaz and Sohail Khan will then blow it completely.

I'm not anticipating Asif having figures of 20-8-40-5 this time with the Red Ball. Pink ball maybe, red ball no.

But if he can bowl the new red ball for 5-2-15-1 and then in each later section bowl 5 overs for 15 runs then in a day he might return day figures of:

15-6-45-2.

That is far better than what Sohail, Imran or Rahat offer in Australia.

So like Sarfraz Nawaz in 1983-84 and Aamer Nazir in 1994-95, I'm not giving up on Asif being flown in as a reinforcement.

Because I know that he is probably the only Pakistan quick bowler who can slow down the scoring of Warner, Khawaja and Smith.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

No offence, but you are completely misunderstanding what we in the "Asif Lobby" are arguing.

Have you ever wondered what is meant by the saying "fast bowlers hunt in pairs"? Does it mean you want a Mitchell Starc bowling at each end?

The answer is no.

To attack at one end you need to contain at the other. You need a bowler who can tie the batsmen down with a nagging line and length which is hard to score off.

At present, Mohammad Amir creates some danger at one end with the new ball while Sohail Khan releases the pressure at the other end - even when he takes wickets.

We saw at Adelaide what will happen at Brisbane in the Day/Night Test. Wickets fall when the natural light goes, but during the two sessions of daylight each day the teams score enough runs to defend a total.

Pakistan will get some degree of containment from Amir and Yasir Shah, but it looks as if Wahab Riaz and Sohail Khan will then blow it completely.

I'm not anticipating Asif having figures of 20-8-40-5 this time with the Red Ball. Pink ball maybe, red ball no.

But if he can bowl the new red ball for 5-2-15-1 and then in each later section bowl 5 overs for 15 runs then in a day he might return day figures of:

15-6-45-2.

That is far better than what Sohail, Imran or Rahat offer in Australia.

So like Sarfraz Nawaz in 1983-84 and Aamer Nazir in 1994-95, I'm not giving up on Asif being flown in as a reinforcement.

Because I know that he is probably the only Pakistan quick bowler who can slow down the scoring of Warner, Khawaja and Smith.

Amir is only good for 3 overs.

You talk about hunting as if Amir continuously bowls 30 overs of amazing stuff and others bowl dross around him.

Amir bowls well for 3-4 overs upfront, then bowls gun barrel straight, much like other useless bowlers.

But they manage to pick up wickets, while Amir keeps waiting...

Not sure how Asif/Amir pair happens for you, but that was a mythological pair 6 years ago.

Not today.

 

[Junaids]

Amir is only good for 3 overs.

You talk about hunting as if Amir continuously bowls 30 overs of amazing stuff and others bowl dross around him.

Amir bowls well for 3-4 overs upfront, then bowls gun barrel straight, much like other useless bowlers.

But they manage to pick up wickets, while Amir keeps waiting...

Not sure how Asif/Amir pair happens for you, but that was a mythological pair 6 years ago.

Not today.

If you are correct, why has Mohammad Amir created as many chances as Rabada or Hazlewood in the 9 Tests since his return?

People on this forum who resent his past offending seem to blame him for the failures of the slip cordon. But if Australia and South Africa caught like Pakistan, Rabada and Hazlewood wouldn't take any wickets at all.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

If you are correct, why has Mohammad Amir created as many chances as Rabada or Hazlewood in the 9 Tests since his return?

People on this forum who resent his past offending seem to blame him for the failures of the slip cordon. But if Australia and South Africa caught like Pakistan, Rabada and Hazlewood wouldn't take any wickets at all.

You're right.

If we assume that Rabada and Hazlewood only bowled for 3 overs and created chances and as soon as those chances were dropped, they became gun barrel straight and failed to do anything for remaining 25 overs or so.

Unfortunately, they were in the match all the time.

Same couldn't be said for Amir, who consistently showed up for 3-4 overs only.

 

[BDwarriors]

So asif got no wickets. Its the end then...

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I know what's special about rahat, sohail and imran. They are honest, hardworking and controversy free players. I know this is a very small quality to have in front of asif's talent.

 

[adil_909]

Then they should also kick out amir. Double standards will get us nowhere. Why they are after amir when asif was the most talented of three and can give Pakistan more chances of winning.

People really need to stop making this argument. There is a big difference between aamir and asif.

1.) Asif had a ton of other controversies before the 2010 issue. Remember fight with shoaib, failed drug screens, taking drugs at airport, and list goes on and on. Aamir didn't have any discplinary issues before 2010.

2.) Aamir admitted his fault immediately. Asif kept lying and lying and lying. This absolutely makes a difference. Everyone is entitled to make a mistake. But if you make a mistake and then lie about it for 2 years, why should you get the same sympathy as someone who made a mistake and came out and apologized right away?

There are many other arguments that can be made, but these are the two strongest ones. For these two alone, for me, Asif and Butt should never play for Pakistan again.

 

[adil_909]

It's always been about winning mate !! those who say otherwise are just in self denial...

I for one am completely ok with anyone playing for Pakistan as long as they can help us win and by that I mean ANYONE !!

Heck, if Hitler or Donald Trump could / can help us become the gun team at the moment, I'd welcome him with open arms !!

What a ridiculous post. This is the problem with Pakistani society as a whole. No discipline, no fear of consequences, no desire to take responsibilities for mistakes. Joke of a post, but sadly, this is the prevailing mentality in the country which accounts for the majority of problems we see in our team as well as in the nation

 

[Syed1]

What a ridiculous post. This is the problem with Pakistani society as a whole. No discipline, no fear of consequences, no desire to take responsibilities for mistakes. Joke of a post, but sadly, this is the prevailing mentality in the country which accounts for the majority of problems we see in our team as well as in the nation

History always sides with the victor. If Hitler had won he would have been the hero in history's narrative and Churchill, Roosevelt etc would have been the aggressors.

And I agree with ahmedwaqas, we are in the business of playing cricket for winning by hook or crook. None of these winning hearts and mind shenanigans. You win hearts and minds by winning matches and even if the leader of the KKK is able to make us achieve that goal then I'm all for his selection.

 

[ShoonyaSifar]

If you are correct, why has Mohammad Amir created as many chances as Rabada or Hazlewood in the 9 Tests since his return?

People on this forum who resent his past offending seem to blame him for the failures of the slip cordon. But if Australia and South Africa caught like Pakistan, Rabada and Hazlewood wouldn't take any wickets at all.

How come bowling with the same slip cordon, Sohail Khan or even Wahab RIaz have averaged better than Amir since his return and in fact taken nearly the same number of wickets? (Amir 25 @38 in 9 tests, Sohail 23@33 in 6 tests, Wahab 22@32 in 6 tests)

If poor slip cordon/keeper was to be considered as a paramter Danish Kaneria would have been a legendary leg spinner. I remember seeing a stat which showed Kamran Akmal alone dropped some 75 (could be lower) catches off Kanerai's bowling!

its better to admit that Amir's been below par especially against the expectation and has generally not been successful in swing/seam like he did before getting banned. There are some technical glitches as well which need to be sorted.

 

[adil_909]

And I agree with ahmedwaqas, we are in the business of playing cricket for winning by hook or crook. None of these winning hearts and mind shenanigans. You win hearts and minds by winning matches and even if the leader of the KKK is able to make us achieve that goal then I'm all for his selection.

Strongly disagree, but I think this is the pervading mentality in Pakistan towards cricket, politics, and life in in general. End justifies the means. Which is why there is no justice, rampant corruption, favoritism, and inequity in society. But who cares if we win some cricket matches eh?

 

[Rayyman]

History always sides with the victor. If Hitler had won he would have been the hero in history's narrative and Churchill, Roosevelt etc would have been the aggressors.

And I agree with ahmedwaqas, we are in the business of playing cricket for winning by hook or crook. None of these winning hearts and mind shenanigans. You win hearts and minds by winning matches and even if the leader of the KKK is able to make us achieve that goal then I'm all for his selection.

You never know with Asif. It's like the boy who cried wolf. He always lets you down. He's been trusted before, but his misconduct is well-documented. Picking him is like picking Irfan. Something might go wrong.

 

[Idrees1990]

People really need to stop making this argument. There is a big difference between aamir and asif.

1.) Asif had a ton of other controversies before the 2010 issue. Remember fight with shoaib, failed drug screens, taking drugs at airport, and list goes on and on. Aamir didn't have any discplinary issues before 2010.

2.) Aamir admitted his fault immediately. Asif kept lying and lying and lying. This absolutely makes a difference. Everyone is entitled to make a mistake. But if you make a mistake and then lie about it for 2 years, why should you get the same sympathy as someone who made a mistake and came out and apologized right away?

There are many other arguments that can be made, but these are the two strongest ones. For these two alone, for me, Asif and Butt should never play for Pakistan again.

Again double standards just because of the age difference. Unlike asif, amir actually accepted money and had evidence against him in the spot fixing and was caught red handed. Maybe that's the reason asif didn't apologize because he was screwed over big time. There was absolutely zero hard evidence to link asif and if he had a good lawyer, he could have been playing right now.

Plus, how is it his fault when Shoaib akhtar hit him with a bat just because he couldn't hit afridi who was a senior. You got to be kidding me lmao. Also, ICC knew about his past issues when they handed him the sentence.

He is 100℅ right. PCB couldn't get his replacement in these 6 years and there is absolutely nothing special about rahat, imran, and Sohail.

 

[Idrees1990]

I know what's special about rahat, sohail and imran. They are honest, hardworking and controversy free players. I know this is a very small quality to have in front of asif's talent.

What are we going to do with these qualities if they can't win us any matches. He served his ban, now at least bring amir and asif together so maybe they will have a solid support in each other and can perform like good old times.

 

[Junaids]

You never know with Asif. It's like the boy who cried wolf. He always lets you down. He's been trusted before, but his misconduct is well-documented. Picking him is like picking Irfan. Something might go wrong.

But something might go right, which is impossible with Sohail Khan or Imran Khan.

They can't contribute to a series win in Australia, even against the worst Australia team for fifty years.

Mohammad Asif can - even if only with his nagging line and length drying up the scoring rate. Last time he took 6-41 at Sydney.

The question becomes, is his risk of major offending in the next five weeks - while still on ICC probation - so high as to outweigh his on-field contribution.

And the answer, of course, is no. It's a ridiculously improbable risk.

 

[Syed1]

These three are going to be the reason we get mauled in Australia. But hey atleast they are honest and hardworking right?

Why even have cricketers, just do a survey of the most honest and hardworking people in the country and make a squad out of them.

 

[Rayyman]

But something might go right, which is impossible with Sohail Khan or Imran Khan.

They can't contribute to a series win in Australia, even against the worst Australia team for fifty years.

Mohammad Asif can - even if only with his nagging line and length drying up the scoring rate. Last time he took 6-41 at Sydney.

The question becomes, is his risk of major offending in the next five weeks - while still on ICC probation - so high as to outweigh his on-field contribution.

And the answer, of course, is no. It's a ridiculously improbable risk.

He can't be picked off of past performances. He has to rip batsman apart in domestic cricket. Which he ain't gonna do.

 

[Hasan123]

If he comes back great of he doesn't I won't lose sleep over it. All I will say is that he should concentrate on cricket. He is not a selector or a pundit. He could play with these 3 if he was to return and I don't know how they would feel after hearing this.

 

[Junaids]

He can't be picked off of past performances. He has to rip batsman apart in domestic cricket. Which he ain't gonna do.

But he didn't "rip batsmen apart in domestic cricket" BEFORE he was banned.

His domestic average before the ban was almost identical to what it is this season.

It's a ridiculous demand to make. It's like telling Dale Steyn that he can't be picked unless he gets as much bounce as Morne Morkel!

Mohammad Asif's gameplan was always built on an immaculate length making him hard to score off.

 

[Gilly]

There was absolutely zero hard evidence to link asif and if he had a good lawyer, he could have been playing right now.

Zero evidence, you do know he bowled the no ball as was agreed to before the match. It was put on record before the match the exact ball Asif would bowl a no ball and right on queue he did. There is no way Asif can be not guilty.

 

[Indiafan]

Again double standards just because of the age difference. Unlike asif, amir actually accepted money and had evidence against him in the spot fixing and was caught red handed. Maybe that's the reason asif didn't apologize because he was screwed over big time. There was absolutely zero hard evidence to link asif and if he had a good lawyer, he could have been playing right now.

Plus, how is it his fault when Shoaib akhtar hit him with a bat just because he couldn't hit afridi who was a senior. You got to be kidding me lmao. Also, ICC knew about his past issues when they handed him the sentence.

He is 100℅ right. PCB couldn't get his replacement in these 6 years and there is absolutely nothing special about rahat, imran, and Sohail.

Asif was convicted in three different courts/tribunals

The court of LAW. ICC and CAS. All three of them decided there was enough evidence. The court thought there was enough evidence to jail him which requred much more proof than just an ICC ban

So keep pretending there was no hard evidence and all three courts just hated poor Asif and that you know more about law and evidence than a court

 

[msb314]

There is some truth in what Asif says but you cannot throw your potential teammates under the bus like that...

 

[Junaids]

Asif was convicted in three different courts/tribunals

The court of LAW. ICC and CAS. All three of them decided there was enough evidence. The court thought there was enough evidence to jail him which requred much more proof than just an ICC ban

So keep pretending there was no hard evidence and all three courts just hated poor Asif and that you know more about law and evidence than a court

This is again factually incorrect.

He was convicted twice: once by the ICC (whose verdict and minimum sentence was upheld by CAS) and once by an English criminal court.

The ICC Tribunal found Asif guilty, but recorded that his guilt was less than that of Amir and Butt. It also noted that he was not paid or otherwise rewarded for the no ball.

The criminal trial was a mess. It relied entirely upon video evidence from a man who is now in jail for falsifying similar videos. And Asif and Butt were tried jointly with two other defendants who had pleaded guilty (Amir and Majeed) which meant that Asif's guilty verdict was a foregone conclusion.

 

[sjahmed23]

Please bring him back to the team so we can all see how mediocrw he's become like Amir and close this chapter once and for all.

 

[Abdullah]

I am just shocked people are defending Asif over his inopportune comments.

The question is not whether he is right or not. That's oblivious to the matter. What's really terrible is, he wants to criticize his future potential team mates, and then hopes to get into the team.

What's funnier is, that, the same dehati mentality is being shown on Pakpassion by people saying, "he has a right to criticize whoever he wants".

Sure he does, but not when he expects to get a call up from the employer.

I wonder how many people in real life have criticized the company they expect a call up from as being terribly ordinary with terribly ordinary people.

Try it in real life, and see results.

Compare that to Maxwell, in Australia, who criticized and was burned by every player including Steven Smith.

And here in Pakistan we are defending him, as if he is some sort of hero, for his outburst.

No manners, no etiquettes, and that's why we are a 3rd world country, with a fan base that has limited IQ.

I love Asif the bowler but this is POTW!

 

[sjahmed23]

Stil better than the filth these three put out by a country mile. Its embarrassing watching Sohail and Rahat bowl in Pakistan colors. If this is the best pace bowling talent Pakistan has, we might aswell start playing with an all-spin bowling attack.

These filths actually drew a test series in England, where we got swept last time. We also got swept by Australia too last time we were there with the magnificent 3. The filths have restored dignity and pride to our cricket and nation and they have shown that you don't have to be a media darling to stay relevent, it can be done with hardwork and patience (#1 test rank). Asif and his ilk should be shooed away by the fans after the 2010 disaster, we must never forget that national embarrassment. Asif is lucky to be walking free, he should be last person talking about our cricketers right now.