"I still have the skills, determination and the willpower to play for Pakistan again": Mohammad Asif

[Pete Rose]

Firstly, this year is the last time he will be young enough.

Secondly, this season has pitches in the five Tests in Australia and NZ which will suit him.

Thirdly, these five Tests are the last ones for 18 months where the team would benefit from his skill set.

Sure. I just don't see it happening for him

 

[Junaids]

Realistically wont be going to Aus. maybe next year.

Sure. I just don't see it happening for him

Inzamam needs to decide whether his job is to pick the team most likely to win in Australia or whether he needs to repunish Asif even though his no ball was unpaid whereas Amir's two were paid.

If Inzamam chooses to be a self-appointed judge, jury and executioner and to flout the ICC's clearance of Asif then he is quite simply unfit to be the Chief Selector.

 

[Pakistanian]

He's atoned for his sins, let him back in the team! Pakistan can't win down under without a player of Asif's class on the roster, last time he was there he took 6 wickets in 1 innings.

 

[AliS]

Still the best bowler with new and old ball compare to those who're part the team is all formats, specially Test.

 

[Analyze1]

i tell you what just inzi bhai give one chance thats it to M Asif

 

[Saj]

I guess it comes down to, some bowlers have it and some bowlers will never have it.

This guy has had a God-given special talent of having that natural ability to seam and swing the ball without the batsman knowing what is happening....and it seems he hasn't lost that ability.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Spoke with Asif earlier on a couple of things.

He spoke about that superb inswinger in the recent QEA Trophy match and was satisfied with it. He said the inswinger was the second ball, the first ball was an outswinger and the batsman wasn't expecting the next one to be a perfect inswinger.

He said that with each match is fitness etc is getting better.

He will miss the next QEA Trophy match after the birth of his daughter.

Glad that Asif decided against Sitting Out. A Good decision.


UBL vs WAPDA is a key encounter of the season and Asif is key for Wapda. Also performance in this match will make his case stronger given the strength of the Opposition.


Tommorow morning will be crucial with all eyes on Asif.

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION] [MENTION=138836]WC-Passion[/MENTION] [MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION]

I was at this game in Edgbaston, it remains my favourite Asif dismissal. I was in the stand from the view point of square leg (left hander/Ed-Joyce perspective) and went absolutely nuts along with the folk in my stand when Asif took the wicket; it was such an incredible atmosphere, we lost the game but played the drums on the streets right after ) Saj Mahmood was man of the match and boo'd to death throughout the game

 

[WC-Passion]

[MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION] [MENTION=138836]WC-Passion[/MENTION] [MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION]

I was at this game in Edgbaston, it remains my favourite Asif dismissal. I was in the stand from the view point of square leg (left hander/Ed-Joyce perspective) and went absolutely nuts along with the folk in my stand when Asif took the wicket; it was such an incredible atmosphere, we lost the game but played the drums on the streets right after ) Saj Mahmood was man of the match and boo'd to death throughout the game

Remember this, one of the few highlights of Asif in LOI career. Was hype though

 

[shaz619]

Remember this, one of the few highlights of Asif in LOI career. Was hype though

Similar dismissal of Michael Clarke during the champions trophy after a comeback I think it have been from injury or a ban, Akram went crazy on commentary

 

[WC-Passion]

Similar dismissal of Michael Clarke during the champions trophy after a comeback I think it have been from injury or a ban, Akram went crazy on commentary

Just makes you feel even more frustrated about his behaviour, what a wonderful bowler he was.

 

[shaz619]

Just makes you feel even more frustrated about his behaviour, what a wonderful bowler he was.

He was troublesome but good at heart, the whole spot fixing ordeal was asif being at the wrong place at the wrong time; his guilt was the least out of the trio and if he had a better lawyer we may not have been him be treated on the level of Butt and Amir for their crimes.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

[MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION] [MENTION=138836]WC-Passion[/MENTION] [MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION]

I was at this game in Edgbaston, it remains my favourite Asif dismissal. I was in the stand from the view point of square leg (left hander/Ed-Joyce perspective) and went absolutely nuts along with the folk in my stand when Asif took the wicket; it was such an incredible atmosphere, we lost the game but played the drums on the streets right after ) Saj Mahmood was man of the match and boo'd to death throughout the game

The Best Spell I saw quality wise was the one against Kallis in a Test match.

Absolute magic.

 

[Analyze1]

yeah he M Asif he need to play one chahace

[MENTION=138980]TalentSpotterPk[/MENTION] [MENTION=138836]WC-Passion[/MENTION] [MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION]

I was at this game in Edgbaston, it remains my favourite Asif dismissal. I was in the stand from the view point of square leg (left hander/Ed-Joyce perspective) and went absolutely nuts along with the folk in my stand when Asif took the wicket; it was such an incredible atmosphere, we lost the game but played the drums on the streets right after ) Saj Mahmood was man of the match and boo'd to death throughout the game

yeah he M Asif he need to play one chance all he needs as you see in domestic sea he M. Asif

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Seems like nobody (former, current players) want to see Asif back in a Pakistan shirt.

There is no doubt that Pakistan has not been able to find a good reliable right arm fast bowler for Test cricket in the last 6 years despite trying out Adil, Imran, Sohail etc;

He is needed for the Australia tour for Pakistan to support Amir, Wahab and Yasir.

 

[WC-Passion]

He was troublesome but good at heart, the whole spot fixing ordeal was asif being at the wrong place at the wrong time; his guilt was the least out of the trio and if he had a better lawyer we may not have been him be treated on the level of Butt and Amir for their crimes.

Maybe, but to me he seems like a guy who would tend to be undisciplined and cause problems.

 

[shaz619]

Maybe, but to me he seems like a guy who would tend to be undisciplined and cause problems.

That's exaggerated, he rarely cause issues inside the dressing room it was more to do with his off field personal issues more then anything; he never misbehaved like a shehzad/afridi or had an attitude like an akmal.

 

[WC-Passion]

That's exaggerated, he rarely cause issues inside the dressing room it was more to do with his off field personal issues more then anything; he never misbehaved like a shehzad/afridi or had an attitude like an akmal.

Yeah, but he has been caught doing things he shouldn't have several times. It can't be a coincidence.

 

[shaz619]

Yeah, but he has been caught doing things he shouldn't have several times. It can't be a coincidence.

He took drugs like 10 years ago pretty sure he'd have learn from those mistakes, his guilt was the least out of the trio for spot fixing yet was punished severely. Providing form/fitness are good, there is no logical reason why he shouldn't return at the international level.

 

[Square Drive]

Really hope he somehow makes it to Australia, but it's just not happening.

 

[shaz619]

Really hope he somehow makes it to Australia, but it's just not happening.

If he is selected, you have to drape yourself in an India flag. Now lets ask you the question again, how much faith do you have in Asif's return?

 

[Square Drive]

If he is selected, you have to drape yourself in an India flag. Now lets ask you the question again, how much faith do you have in Asif's return?

Yeah sure I'm down.

Dil will remain Pakistani - at the end of the day, I'm doing this mannat for the qaum

...Obviously, I'm down because I know it ain't happening.

 

[WC-Passion]

He took drugs like 10 years ago pretty sure he'd have learn from those mistakes, his guilt was the least out of the trio for spot fixing yet was punished severely. Providing form/fitness are good, there is no logical reason why he shouldn't return at the international level.

I agree, but he's no angel for sure. He definetly deserves a recall if he performs and I think it's a bit backwards to not play him just because of his past if he can be amazing for us in Australia.

 

[shaz619]

I agree, but he's no angel for sure. He definetly deserves a recall if he performs and I think it's a bit backwards to not play him just because of his past if he can be amazing for us in Australia.

The selectors never pick domestic cricketers based on who's the best angel having said that, you won't find a single person who will paint Asif as a hero; he's most definitely an anti-hero. Anyhow it's unlikely that he will be picked

 

[WC-Passion]

The selectors never pick domestic cricketers based on who's the best angel having said that, you won't find a single person who will paint Asif as a hero; he's most definitely an anti-hero. Anyhow it's unlikely that he will be picked

Yeah it sucks. A performing Asif is the best out of anyone in Pakistan imo iin a place like Australia.

 

[Abdullah719]

Asif doesn't seem to be playing in this round of QAT either. Hopefully he participates in the knock-out rounds.

 

[MrBrownstone]

Pakistan playing Amur was already criticised by many people but he could get away with it as he was only a naive teenager. Asif was in his late 20s, and if Pakistan select him it will make it look like they accept match fixers.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Asif doesn't seem to be playing in this round of QAT either. Hopefully he participates in the knock-out rounds.

Excellent move by WAPDA to rest Asif for 2 matches. He had a tight hamstring & side strain.


If He will be fully fit in next matches than He can be the match winner for Wapda and may take them to Semifinal or Final.

 

[Junaids]

Can Pakistan defend Down Under without Mohammad Asif?

We have all seen that in Asia Misbah uses the spinners to dry up the runs and tie down the batsmen.

But we are only in the first innings of five Tests Down Under, and it's not working. At all.

Yasir Shah has been milked for four runs per over, just as he was in the middle two Tests in England.

Meanwhile Rahat isn't accurate enough to bowl to a field. And the grass is dying, so the seam and swing movement have vanished.

Is there anyone other than Mohammad Asif who can slow down the flow of runs in Australia and New Zealand?

 

[Big Mac]

He's injured.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Imran Khan needs to play next test. He at least kept it tight in the UAE.

 

[Junaids]

He's injured.

He had a slight niggle in his side and was rested until the Super 8's.

Should be the first bowler on the team sheet in Australia and New Zealand.

 

[UN talkz]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mohammad Asif "a fish never forgets how to swim". His figures today versus Islamabad as 24 wickets fell on Day 1:<br>5-28<br>2-15<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/917379370959982592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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[Mamoon]

Always was and always will be 10x better than Amir in red ball cricket. Time to bring him back; these are desperate times.

 

[Big Mac]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mohammad Asif "a fish never forgets how to swim". His figures today versus Islamabad as 24 wickets fell on Day 1:<br>5-28<br>2-15<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/917379370959982592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The figures look great until you read "24 wickets fell on day 1"

 

[badsha001]

The figures look great until you read "24 wickets fell on day 1"

that's 7 wickets out of the possible 14 wickets of 1 side...

 

[Sirris]

He will serve the nation better by doing private coaching. He isn't a fluke bowler, he is a hunter. when it comes to bowling he knows what he is doing. He can't teach other his skills but his attitude towards bowling and general mindset could be beneficial.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

The magician back on it again. He will always remain a class act with the ball

 

[shane]

Shame he doesn't have the moral decency or lack of criminal record.

 

[KyoOne]

PCB investing in wrong fixer, Asif should have been given special treatment for his clear superior skills than overhyped Amir

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mohammad Asif in his first match of this domestic season for WAPDA against Islamabad:<br>1st innings 5 for 28<br>2nd innings 6 for 53<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/917704871775784961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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[ads101]

Sigh, is there anyone similar to him in Pakistan? Tall, excellent control, doesn't need to rely on fast pace which will lead to injuries. I don't want Asif back, but we need something in his mold (or Mcgrath mold). Pure out and out pace is just not reliable enough on these UAE tracks, I'd actually prefer to take someone a little slower as he'll be able to last.

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=865]Big Mac[/MENTION] he was special regardless of the wicket and conditions, there's no one better to exploit the new ball as well. Anyhow his time has come and gone unfortunately as much as I'd love to see him in the team because of all the unfulfilled potential. Too old

 

[Big Mac]

[MENTION=865]Big Mac[/MENTION] he was special regardless of the wicket and conditions, there's no one better to exploit the new ball as well. Anyhow his time has come and gone unfortunately as much as I'd love to see him in the team because of all the unfulfilled potential. Too old

I was the biggest Asif cheerleader on here, even when everybody was smitten with Amir. That doesn't mean I will get carried away with domestic figures on dodgy pitches with dodgy balls.

Islamabad were 81 all out, then they bowled WAPDA out for 116 before being reduced to 52/4 at stumps on day one. DAY ONE!

You can't take anything away about a players quality from a match like that.

 

[shaz619]

I was the biggest Asif cheerleader on here, even when everybody was smitten with Amir. That doesn't mean I will get carried away with domestic figures on dodgy pitches with dodgy balls.

A fish never forgets how to swim
[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION]

 

[Madplayer]

This cunning man. Havent seen a bowler as cunning as this guy. Couple this with skills he had.

 

[UN talkz]

Mohammad Asif finished with Match figures of 11-81

 

[shaz619]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mohammad Asif's 6 wickets in the 2nd innings for WAPDA versus Islamabad <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QeATrophy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QeATrophy</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZK9xEV5ygM">pic.twitter.com/ZK9xEV5ygM</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/917771423967477760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">10 October 2017</a></blockquote>
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He makes bowling look so easy

 

[Big Mac]

He makes bowling look so easy

Even you might get a couple of wickets against that lot

 

[Saj]

I'm not sure he's got the fitness for international cricket any more especially 5 day cricket, but this guy makes bowling look so easy.

He'll be bowling like this when he is 60

 

[Savak]

I'm not sure he's got the fitness for international cricket any more especially 5 day cricket, but this guy makes bowling look so easy.

He'll be bowling like this when he is 60

It can be argued that no wear and tear of 6 years of fast bowling may help him play up to 39, 40, 41, 42 and if he can do the job for Pakistan at 120-128 km/hr then it is very likely.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

he wont play for Pakistan ever again, the guy had no respect for no one, should never be allowed to play for pak again...

 

[Saj]

It can be argued that no wear and tear of 6 years of fast bowling may help him play up to 39, 40, 41, 42 and if he can do the job for Pakistan at 120-128 km/hr then it is very likely.

Yes fair point I mean if Abbas can do it then Asif can, but I'm not sure he has the legs to play 5 day cricket any more. Even WAPDA are only playing him now and then.

 

[Savak]

Yes fair point I mean if Abbas can do it then Asif can, but I'm not sure he has the legs to play 5 day cricket any more. Even WAPDA are only playing him now and then.

Pakistan need him in Test Cricket only. Not in ODI's and T-20's.

 

[sachin100]

Oh my god. Match finishing in 2 days? Even green mambas does not give results in 2 days.

Either the domestic bowlers are out of the world or the batsmen duds.

Can anyone explain how a match finished in 2 days when the pitch doesn't even look that green

 

[Abdullah719]

 

[Savak]

Asif will be saying the same thing in 2020 and time will go by. He clearly has not read b/w the lines, it is clear that the PCB have no interest in them for national duty and are now looking at the future.

 

[Junaids]

Will he even get a UK visa?

 

[Abdullah719]

Pakistan’s Muhammad Asif deported from Dubai airport again

LAHORE – Pakistan’s pacer Muhammad Asif was deported from a UAE airport on Tuesday after he failed to possess proper travelling documents.

The 35-year-old was traveling to Sharjah to take part in an amateur tape ball tournament, however, he was flagged down at immigration and spent several hours at the Dubai airport before being sent back to Pakistan.

Asif told local media that he was asked for the letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which he was to get from Abu Dhabi. He already had clearance after which he had been given a visa, but he was not allowed to enter UAE as he could not provide them the letter.

The fast bowler has been out of action from higher levels of cricket for quite some time. He was expected to lead a side in the tape ball cricket tournament.

The last time Mohammad Asif visited Dubai was 10 years ago.

In 2008, he was detained in Dubai while returning from India after a small amount of opium was found on him. He was then deported to Pakistan without the authorities pressing criminal charges.

The Pakistan Cricket Board fined him one million rupees (around £7,470) for bringing the country into disrepute.

Asif, who has played 11 Tests and 31 one-day internationals, was banned after testing positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone while playing for the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League.

He played for the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in the 2017/18 edition of Pakistan’s domestic season. Asif is yet to be selected for the Pakistan national team even after serving the five-year ban for the spot-fixing scandal that rocked the cricketing community to its core in 2010.

https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/sports/pakistans-muhammad-asif-deported-from-dubai-airport-again/

 

[Saj]

Roller coaster ride is Muhammad Asif's life.

You never know what's going to happen next.

 

[khiska]

How I wish he somehow makes a comeback in England for the 2 tests, he can still make the new ball talk like no other... I know the next few comments will be about his rap sheet and how he should be no where near the team but alas the heart wants what the heart wants

 

[The_Odd_One]

He should start looking for alternate career.

 

[giri26]

I think Asif needs to just concentrate on the domestic cricket at the moment. Seems like he has done more damage to his career than the other two.

 

[Kroll]

Mohammad Asif saying he's in the USA, then Canada. He's not in the UK for club cricket at the moment.

 

[Saj]

What a waste of talent.

Could have been a legend.

 

[FreePalestine]

Real waste of talent, Saj. Universally felt on pakpassion I think. That is the gist of it really. Thus ends the aborted saga of Mohammad Asif, the legendary fast bowler who never was...

Yes, a failure on his part, for sure. In another way, a failure of a corrupt cricketing culture within which his impulses and urges could flourish... “look, even the best ever Pak cricketer, Akram, was a fixer, so why not me as well?”. Perhaps also failure for those who should have tried harder to look after him mentally and helping him build routines... really try.

Yes, hindsight is 20/20 but there were plenty of warning signs. Despite how much he disappointed the nation, I wish him peace now... though would never have supported him re-entering cricket post-fixing. He probably suffers a lot in his mind, so sincerely hope now that he has done his time, that he can find a way to accept it and find some peace.

 

[Savak]

Not sure why he is considered a waste of talent, he needed juice on the wicket to be effective. He was ordinary in Australia, he struggled on the flat decks of Pakistan. Even on the green top wickets of England in the 2010 series, his bowling average was 29, he did well enough to keep the pressure on.

Asif was already not that great in ODI's and T-20's and his batting was pure tailenderish. I don't think he would have lasted very long even if he had been playing. People found out the truth about Amir as he played more and more games and his consistency suffered.

 

[Saj]

Real waste of talent, Saj. Universally felt on pakpassion I think. That is the gist of it really. Thus ends the aborted saga of Mohammad Asif, the legendary fast bowler who never was...

Yes, a failure on his part, for sure. In another way, a failure of a corrupt cricketing culture within which his impulses and urges could flourish... “look, even the best ever Pak cricketer, Akram, was a fixer, so why not me as well?”. Perhaps also failure for those who should have tried harder to look after him mentally and helping him build routines... really try.

Yes, hindsight is 20/20 but there were plenty of warning signs. Despite how much he disappointed the nation, I wish him peace now... though would never have supported him re-entering cricket post-fixing. He probably suffers a lot in his mind, so sincerely hope now that he has done his time, that he can find a way to accept it and find some peace.

He's such a free spirit though. He won't be too worried about what happened, how it happened and how different things could have been.

Live for today = Mohammad Asif.

 

[Savak]

He's such a free spirit though. He won't be too worried about what happened, how it happened and how different things could have been.

Live for today = Mohammad Asif.

I remember when he got banned in 2008 and he was crying on tv because financially he had become crippled and the PCB was refusing to help him. However he never reacted emotionally to the 2010 spot fixing scandal, i don't think he ever suffered financially in the last 10 years which is why he is showing a very chilled out demeanor.

I am dissapointed by his lack of interest and enthusiasm for playing for Pakistan again once his ban ended in Sept 2015. It was as his this guy expected that the PCB would come running back to him immediately because of his talent.

 

[Saj]

I am dissapointed by his lack of interest and enthusiasm for playing for Pakistan again once his ban ended in Sept 2015. It was as his this guy expected that the PCB would come running back to him immediately because of his talent.

He knew he wouldn't play for Pakistan ever again.

In fact he only played domestic cricket for WAPDA due to the management there. As soon as PCB took over the selection of teams in domestic cricket, he was ignored.

 

[FreePalestine]

He's such a free spirit though. He won't be too worried about what happened, how it happened and how different things could have been.

Live for today = Mohammad Asif.

Yes, I don’t really know him, so cannot say. But sometimes even that ‘live for today’ attitude can be a kind of enslavement to urges and sensations... if it leads repeatedly to addiction and self-destructive behaviour.

 

[Zaz]

Most players are hyped on talent and not doing justice to their talent on the pitch

Asif was the real deal, his waste is much more because its not a lack of performance with him If he wasnt so corrupt he woudve had 300 test wickets for pakistan no problem

 

[Savak]

He knew he wouldn't play for Pakistan ever again.

In fact he only played domestic cricket for WAPDA due to the management there. As soon as PCB took over the selection of teams in domestic cricket, he was ignored.

I am pretty sure Salman Butt had the sinking feeling he would never play for Pakistan again but that never stopped him from being serious about his cricket, focusing on his fitness, practicing his skills daily and turning up for his domestic sides daily. End result is that his persistence paid off and he got rewarded with a PSL call up. He didn't give any reason for the PCB to even think about considering him and that is his fault.

 

[sweep_shot]

It is a shame Asif couldn't maximize his potential. He had the potential to become an ATG.

 

[Saj]

I am pretty sure Salman Butt had the sinking feeling he would never play for Pakistan again but that never stopped him from being serious about his cricket, focusing on his fitness, practicing his skills daily and turning up for his domestic sides daily. End result is that his persistence paid off and he got rewarded with a PSL call up. He didn't give any reason for the PCB to even think about considering him and that is his fault.

Asif was turning up, playing whenever he was picked, training and working hard on his game for WAPDA.

But there's not much he could do about the PCB deciding he wasn't even good enough for a domestic 2nd XI.

 

[Savak]

Asif was turning up, playing whenever he was picked, training and working hard on his game for WAPDA.

But there's not much he could do about the PCB deciding he wasn't even good enough for a domestic 2nd XI.

Many other sports journalists including Waheed Khan will disagree that Asif was serious about his cricket and about putting in the work required to make the selectors think about picking him

 

[Saj]

Many other sports journalists including Waheed Khan will disagree that Asif was serious about his cricket and about putting in the work required to make the selectors think about picking him

I look at his numbers since he returned. They look pretty good to me and better than many others who are playing domestic cricket.

 

[Savak]

I look at his numbers since he returned. They look pretty good to me and better than many others who are playing domestic cricket.

No one can deny his numbers and his bowling quality. But if he went about playing selective matches, picking and choosing which matches to play and sitting out for a lot of games unless he had injury issues, its not going to inspire confidence in the selectors.

I remember in 2017 there were news reports that the selectors were beginning to warm up to the idea to recall Butt and Asif into the side but then the PSL fixing scandal happened and the PCB decided to backtrack.

But if you watch Asif's various interviews in comparison to Butt, he had the attitude "Pick me if you want, don't pick me if you don't want, i don't really care, it doesn't affect me". Butt on the other hand played literally every game and expressed his disappointment over being overlooked by selectors which showed he was keen to represent Pakistan again. Any neutral observer will conclude the former was not serious about making a recall into the national side in comparison to the later.

 

[Saj]

No one can deny his numbers and his bowling quality. But if he went about playing selective matches, picking and choosing which matches to play and sitting out for a lot of games unless he had injury issues, its not going to inspire confidence in the selectors.

I remember in 2017 there were news reports that the selectors were beginning to warm up to the idea to recall Butt and Asif into the side but then the PSL fixing scandal happened and the PCB decided to backtrack.

But if you watch Asif's various interviews in comparison to Butt, he had the attitude "Pick me if you want, don't pick me if you don't want, i don't really care, it doesn't affect me". Butt on the other hand played literally every game and expressed his disappointment over being overlooked by selectors which showed he was keen to represent Pakistan again. Any neutral observer will conclude the former was not serious about making a recall into the national side in comparison to the later.

I asked Asif at the time why he was missing matches. He said WAPDA wanted a rotation policy with their pace-bowlers so he was being forced to miss matches.

 

[Savak]

I asked Asif at the time why he was missing matches. He said WAPDA wanted a rotation policy with their pace-bowlers so he was being forced to miss matches.

If this is true then we have to keep in mind the guy was 35-36 years old, even if he was playing for Pakistan, could his body have held up to the medium fast bowling workloads demanded in test cricket especially if we were playing in the UAE and Pakistan?