"I knew I would play in the World Cup, if it was written in my fate" : Asif Ali

[MenInG]

Asif Ali speaking to the media today


What I had in my mind was the fact that I would play in the World Cup if it was written in my fate by the Almighty

As far as my performances in the ODI series against England are concerned, you would have all seen my natural game that I applied there

In that series, I played longer innings where I took singles and doubles as well

What I mean to say is that I am comfortable playing in all conditions and as required by the team

For me, each match is important and I will try to make sure that my side Pakistan wins due to my performances

The England batting line-up was very strong and by beating them, we have created a winning momentum and we will continue to take this forward

My role in the side is to hit balls and its not difficult, as what I do is to play my natural game and try to make sure that the runs I score are beneficial for the side

In the ODI series against England, I got to play close to 20-25 overs and I was able to score good runs in that situation so its not difficult for me

In fact such situations are easy for me as its easier to hit out when you come in early as opposed to coming in late and hitting out in the last few overs as you still need to take one over to get yourself in

I started my career as an opener, so it doesnt bother me if I bat at number 4 or 5 and the side uses me as needed in the match situation

I am happy to play at any position which is based on the match-situation, whether I am sent in the last 10 overs where 100 are needed or if I am sent in much earlier

 

[Inswing]

Win the matches for Pakistan otherwise these matches could be your last international matches

 

[adil79]

Indian players skipped media for preparation while our players are just class apart. He should be working on his weakness and improving his game, instead of useless media appearances. Same goes for all players

 

[saeed5646]

Can be very handy against weak bowling attack .Don,t see him doing much against strong bowling line up like india,aus .

Also his fielding is very average .he should not be patrolling the boundary due to his lazy attitude and getting pressurize easily from crowd chants

 

[Draeoftroy]

This guy needs a video analyst [to tune his straight hitting], some confidence [by management that he'll play all matches] and a go at #3 or #2 position during powerplay when 6 players are in the circle.

Management should'nt alter his game, they've already damaged Faheem.


Just instruct Asif to give himself time to settle and just play his natural game.

 

[MenInG]

just needs a good outing in the World Cup and we could have a very good batsman for Pakistan

 

[nam]

now that he is in the squad he needs to prove his worth by winning one or two games and also improve his fielding.. I really believe he has the skills to play an innings like inzi in 1992 worldcup semifinal

 

[Saj]

Tough times and he deserves support.

Hope he has a great tournament.

 

[Titan24]

Just needs to select the bowlers to target well and try to get in the position to play his strong shots by moving a bit in the crease horizontally and vertically.

 

[Caved12]

I really really feel for this guy! I think he is a top bloke who has gone through a lot recently! Yet he showed up in that series against England and scored a gutsy fifty. I fully support Asif Ali!

 

[Slog]

If only he could rolls his arms for 4-5 decent overs a game he would be worth his weight in gold

Right now his output is limited unfortunately

 

[angrypathan]

Certainly doesn't lack self belief, hope he does well, a quick 50 or so at the end could be the difference in the tougher games

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Need him in this World Cup. He can hit pavers better than any other batsman in our team. We are playing 7 batsmen so he can safely play his natural game.

 

[chacha kashmiri]

What he lacks in technique and skill he makes up for in heart

Could be pakistans virendar sehwag

 

[hitthestump]

With respect, our players aren't very media savvy.

Saying "i knew i'd play in the world cup" when he has a very mediocre record is just asking for it.

 

[Mercurial]

To be fair, he doesn't deserve to play in the remaining games at all. Just stick with Haris Sohail.

 

[Junaid_ahmed]

He is the only man on the earth who is happy with everything.

 

[mak36]

With respect, our players aren't very media savvy.

Saying "i knew i'd play in the world cup" when he has a very mediocre record is just asking for it.

Read it again.

 

[Pete Rose]

Just needs to select the bowlers to target well and try to get in the position to play his strong shots by moving a bit in the crease horizontally and vertically.

Think he is doing fine.

 

[Pete Rose]

To be fair, he doesn't deserve to play in the remaining games at all. Just stick with Haris Sohail.

Haris and Asif are not competing for a slot. They have different style and different roles.

 

[Suleiman]

Haris and Asif are not competing for a slot. They have different style and different roles.

Crazy how many people don’t understand this

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

Unfortunately he is just not good enough.He can score those 10-15 runs nothing more than that.He should not be in playing eleven

 

[MenInG]

Bristol: Pakistan batsman Asif Ali has credited his family for convincing him to play at the World Cup after the tragic death of his infant daughter last month.

The 27-year-old had to leave Britain after the fifth one-day international against England when he learned of the death of his 19-month-old daughter Dua Fatima from cancer in the United States.

Asif, who was not in the preliminary squad for the World Cup, forced his way into the final 15 with two half centuries against England during the recent series between the two countries.

Asif said his wife and family helped him deal with his daughter's illness.

"I was informed of my daughter's health during the Pakistan Super League in February," Asif said.

"It was shocking and heart-breaking but my family stood by me in those difficult times and they eased it by convincing me that I should play for the country and they will take care of her.

"They told me 'don't waste a chance of playing for the country' because only lucky ones get that chance. Whatever Allah did, it was for her betterment."

The son of an ironsmith in Pakistan's industrial city of Faisalabad, Asif was spotted as a hard-hitting batsman by former Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq.

His role is to give impetus to an innings towards the end.

"If I score runs in the team's performance then it's good for all of us," he said. "I am not worried because what role I am given I will play according to the conditions."

Asif said he was happy to score runs in the recent series against England despite a 4-0 defeat for Pakistan.

"I need to score quick runs in the final overs and you may have seen my game during the series where I got more overs to bat," he said.

"I got 20-25 overs and that's why I scored two fifties. If you bat up the order then it's relatively easy to hit out as you get settled."

Asif hopes Pakistan will carry forward the momentum of their victory against World Cup hosts England in Nottingham on Monday.

"Beating England was awesome," said Asif of Pakistan's 14-run win, which followed a seven-wicket mauling at the hands of the West Indies in their first match, also in Nottingham.

"England have a strong batting line-up, so the win was very good. We now have the momentum and we will take it with us in the next games."

https://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/...-chance-after-daughters-death-1.1559751660225