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Is Mohammad Asif 'potentially' the greatest bowling genius Pakistan has ever produced?

ahmedwaqas92

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Editor's Note: Please read this OP to have the gist of my argument, before...you know... Passing that PP cliqued Judgement of yours

To begin with let me clarify that I am NOT, in any way or form, introducing the notion that Asif is our greatest ever fast bowler - That's without any shadow of a doubt, Wasim Akram; while there are many others that have greater longevity and similar stats for an extended period of.

However, I am more inclined to focus on his ability, as a bowler, to actually bowl and exploit a particular weakness in a batsman's game and to actually do the latter, in real time, against people he's arguably never played in his life is a feature that has practically been missing from our bowlers since the retirements of Wasim, Waqar and to some extent Shoaib Akhtar.

During the ongoing QeA final's 1st innings of HBL, I noticed that Asif's bowling genius is not that he bowls countless Jaffas, which he actually does bowl by the way, but his ability to get into a batsman's head, analyze his strengths and weaknesses, and then make them commit to something that is unnatural for their game is something so surreal that it practically feels as if he goes into their ears and whispers to them to play a particular shot - all within a space of mere 5-7 deliveries.

The best example of this was when Imam was leaving the bowls that Asif was bowling at around 4th/5th stump line going across the left hander and then straightening when it went past the stumps. This meant that Asif wanted him to poke and play at the deliveries which went across him because if the delivery straightens and comes in line with the stumps then Imam, who’s defense is arguably quite solid as he presents a straight bat behind the bowl, will never edge it to slips and with the pace that Asif bowls at it was impossible for him to breach his defenses.

This predicament meant that Asif needed to make him play at those deliveries going across - 'This is where the genius comes actually....'.

Since Asif knows he was previously an international Test star he initiated this mind game with Imam where he would quietly walk a bit closer to him, in his bowling follow through, and appreciate (sarcastically) the leave that Imam was doing to his deliveries going across.

Now when a bowler like Asif does this to someone it will, without a doubt, create a bit of confusion in the batsman's mind as he would start doubting that whether you're playing your game correctly or are you actually falling for an Asif trap. Needless to say, Imam fell for the trap that was non-existent in pure cricketing sense, as he was actually playing correctly and that small sarcastic clap that Asif did prior to the wicket taking bowl made him do exactly what Asif wanted him to do.

It's fascinating to note that Asif didn't bowl any differently to how he was bowling the deliveries earlier to Imam, they were all pitching on middle and off and going across with the slight deviation off the seam, either way. It was Imam that was made to come on the front foot to a delivery which he was playing ABSOLUTELY FINE on all previous occasions and a small sarcastic clap actually created the false shot.

I am not too sure how many people watched the 1st spell of Asif in the QeA trophy final on Saturday Morning but that was probably, as good an opening seam bowling spell I've seen, essentially from the days of Mcgrath and Wasim. The other wickets that fell were standard Asif's 1, 2 set ups that actually made me realize the gulf in class between the batsmen we think are good in our domestic to actually facing a gun international level bowler and then that bowler making absolute fools out of them.

Fakhir's wicket was so disappointing it's unbelievable how someone, who we are rooting to be a future batsman for us internationally, can fall to such an obvious bowling trap. He was originally coming forward to deliveries that were going across even when he was leaving them. This clearly meant that even if he defended he would be playing slightly away from the body, and for Asif it was just too easy.

He made two go away from him, and then the third one he pitched a little fuller making it seam into the batsmen. Since it was fuller Fakhir's natural defense kicked in but because he was coming forward in leaving the balls outside off stump (previously) therefore, his bat was away from the body and the gap was enough for the bowl to snuck through. Actually, if you look at the bowl, you'd notice that the delivery hit the middle stump which meant that had it only deviated slightly Fakhir would've made contact with the bat; but the deviation was extravagant enough to which meant there was no contact and it went right past his defenses.

Farhat's LBW was just him missing a ball that deviated to come back into the stumps and I feel discussing his wicket is rather pointless since he, we can all be assured, is nowhere near making a comeback but what I wanted to come to was how, Asif was literally toying with Ahmad Shehzad :)).

Asif to Shehzad : Play and Miss - Squared him
Asif to Shehzad : Play and Miss - Fishing

Shehzad starts to stand out of his crease to negate the swing and seam.

Asif to shehzad : Connects (False Shot), bat angled in towards short midwicket, ball goes to cover point :)))
Asif to Shehzad : Connects (False Shot Again), Inside edge to Short Leg

Kami comes in to stand at the stumps as Shehzad was batting outside of his crease - Shehzad is forced back into the crease, Asif slows his pace as well!!

Asif to Shehzad : In ducker that almost got him; ball hits back thigh after taking the inside edge of the bat. Shehzad playing towards cover :))
Asif to Shehzad : Finally Middled (defended) !!!!

Maiden over that left Shehzad going for his signature mid-wicket hoick next over to Irfan and consequently skied one to short mid-wicket - game over :D.

This Asif's spell made it entirely clear that he is practically head and shoulders above anyone currently representing Pakistan in the pace bowling department while the way he made absolute fools out of HBL batsmen, a team that somehow managed to qualify for the final, ahead or the likes of SSGC and KRL :facepalm: solidified why we ABSOLUTELY NEED him down under during these upcoming test matches in Australia. This is the same guy that would literally make KP, Strauss, Sachin, Dravid, VVS and other top batsmen look like amateurs while bowling during the mid-2000s and even if he can replicate 50% of what he had previously, I can be assured that he would run through a hot knife like butter while bowling to the current Aussie lineup.

If the PCB management and selectors are clever enough, they would, essentially pluck him out and send him on a plane to Australia RIGHT ABOUT NOW!! But alas this kind of quick thinking and innovative game play is alien to our selectors while I would be pleasantly surprised if they did otherwise.
 
I cannot put it any better myself.

It was the first time in six and a half years that I have:

1. Seen a Pakistan fast bowler have a plan involving more than one type of delivery, and
2. Seen a Pakistan fast bowler who can put every delivery on the exact line and length that he intends to, fo a whole day of 18 overs across multiple spells.

The difference between Mohammad Asif and Sohail Khan and Imran Khan is just astounding.
 
Folie a deux.

This is what happens when someone with good skills 6 years ago, gets thrown into the wrong end of the tunnel and comes back after a long wilderness.

Eulogies and encores are written about him, and portray him to be the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Mass hysteria ensues.

Comparisons are made with McGrath and all other bowler of yesteryears.

You can hoodwink entire nations into believing that something is greater than what it actually is, even 6 years after it happened.

And as far as our nation, we are so emotional that we immediately accept everything.
 
I can see one (although remote possibility)Scenario... Pakistan looses first test badly(that is mostly likely scenario, considering its GABBA)... Because of Asif WAPDA wins the final(which is also looking very likely)... Inzi, Misbah & Mickey makes a bold decision of bring Asif on for second test(Sohail or Rahat are declared injured)...Asif flies to AUS for boxing day test. Question is can Asif gets the visa in such a short notice??
 
POTW!

It was the best display of fast bowling I've watched in a long long time. Especially the way he set up Imam. I found it a bit uncanny when he clapped for him on his follow through but now that I think about it could well be a ploy as right after that he got out. We have been missing a bowler like Asif who could play with batsmen's mind and outfox him. He's head and shoulders above all other bowlers we have in domestic or national side.
 
I can see one (although remote possibility)Scenario... Pakistan looses first test badly(that is mostly likely scenario, considering its GABBA)... Because of Asif WAPDA wins the final(which is also looking very likely)... Inzi, Misbah & Mickey makes a bold decision of bring Asif on for second test(Sohail or Rahat are declared injured)...Asif flies to AUS for boxing day test. Question is can Asif gets the visa in such a short notice??
I think someone already posted on the forum that it takes 5-6 days to get sportsman visa.
 
There is no doubt in my mind that Asif is the smartest Pakistani bowler I have watched in my lifetime.
 
But our so called moral high grounds and egos are more important than winning a damn series in Oz and be the first ever asian team to do so.
 
Folie a deux.

This is what happens when someone with good skills 6 years ago, gets thrown into the wrong end of the tunnel and comes back after a long wilderness.

Eulogies and encores are written about him, and portray him to be the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Mass hysteria ensues.

Comparisons are made with McGrath and all other bowler of yesteryears.

You can hoodwink entire nations into believing that something is greater than what it actually is, even 6 years after it happened.

And as far as our nation, we are so emotional that we immediately accept everything.

Doc I respect your opinion but I'll ask you two questions bro, and I am not trying to be in any way demeaning here....

1) Did you watch that spell, I am not talking about the wickets highlights package, I am talking about his ball by ball opening spell ? (I watched every ball of his 8 over spell and trust me it was some absolute high class Seam bowling I've seen)

2) Did you read the OP completely ??
 
Doc I respect your opinion but I'll ask you two questions bro, and I am not trying to be in any way demeaning here....

1) Did you watch that spell, I am not talking about the wickets highlights package, I am talking about his ball by ball opening spell ? (I watched every ball of his 8 over spell and trust me it was some absolute high class Seam bowling I've seen)

2) Did you read the OP completely ??

I don't mind the OP because I am sure you have Pakistan's good interests at heart.

What irks me is ...

1. Pakistani domestic pitches are not good enough to be considered standard of internationals. Whatever you do on those pitches is taken with a grain of salt, because it's almost unheard of, that someone who was setting Pakistani pitches alight, also set the international pitches alight.

2. In the 6 years that Asif was not available, there were thousands of other bowlers getting wickets and bowling just as well , if not better than Asif.

Did you people create threads for those? Watched their bowl by bowl spell? Did you actually took any effort to make sure that those bowlers were also in spotlight?

Did you appeal to PCB with just as strong vehemence, that Mir Hamza, or Sadaf or any other bowler was going to be the next McGrath or destroy attacks in Australia?

Why the selectivity for Asif? Because he is good? Yes, he was 6 years ago. Now it's a toss of the coin.

Because he is the greatest bowler ever lived? I seriously doubt that.

Somewhere along the line, the lines have blurred.

And it reminds me of the famous saying.

"Every batsmen or bowler that is not in the team, is considered better than the person who is in the team".

We have been a victim of it for so long.


3. In the off chance, that Asif is indeed that good and then still fails in Australia, are we going to keep persisting with him in the hope that he might fire one day??

4. What baggage does he bring this time? The simple drugs, or something else? Is he really clean as they come out to be, because last I heard, he was on drugs.

5. What kind of dressing room environment are you asking for, when a bowler claims twice in a week that he is better than all the bowlers that are in the Pakistan dressing room? Do you really think that's how a person should be inducted in the team?

When he starts speaking BS about his potential team mates.

Unfortunately you guys are lost, in Asif of yesteryear and all that blah.

He comes with a huge package, and I am not sure PCB is ready to accept the responsibility yet.

Bottom line, I don't support any stupid player or any player who deliberately under-performed for the country. I accepted Amir, because there is no choice (not because of the stupid young, didn't know what he was doing argument). What excuse is for Asif? That he is good? So was Symonds before he was thrown out by Cricket Australia.

The only excuse for Asif is he WAS GOOD and is LIKELY TO BE GOOD even though he did drugs, performed no balls and did everything a normal person shouldn't do.

Not good enough I am sorry.
 
Folie a deux.

This is what happens when someone with good skills 6 years ago, gets thrown into the wrong end of the tunnel and comes back after a long wilderness.

Eulogies and encores are written about him, and portray him to be the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Mass hysteria ensues.

Comparisons are made with McGrath and all other bowler of yesteryears.

You can hoodwink entire nations into believing that something is greater than what it actually is, even 6 years after it happened.

And as far as our nation, we are so emotional that we immediately accept everything.

Well said. Amir's return was romanticized the same way. Salmam Butt was supposed to be the saviour after a hot start, before he cooled down

To call Asif a more cunning bowler than Wasim or even Waqar who set up batsmen for 10+ years is comical. How many people did Wasim make look like amateurs. Does longevity count for nothing?
 
. In the 6 years that Asif was not available, there were thousands of other bowlers getting wickets and bowling just as well , if not better than Asif.

Did you people create threads for those? Watched their bowl by bowl spell? Did you actually took any effort to make sure that those bowlers were also in spotlight?

Did you appeal to PCB with just as strong vehemence, that Mir Hamza, or Sadaf or any other bowler was going to be the next McGrath or destroy attacks in Australia?

Why the selectivity for Asif? Because he is good? Yes, he was 6 years ago.
4. What baggage does he bring this time? The simple drugs, or something else? Is he really clean as they come out to be, because last I heard, he was on drugs.

5. What kind of dressing room environment are you asking for, when a bowler claims twice in a week that he is better than all the bowlers that are in the Pakistan dressing room? Do you really think that's how a person should be inducted in the team?



Not good enough I am sorry.
These arguments need to be dismantled.

Pakistan has had five great pace bowlers in its history.

Three - Imran, Wasim and Waqar - were express. Fazal Mahmood and Asif were medium-fast.

To dispute the quality of a guy with over 100 Test wickets at an average of 24 is absurd. The question was whether he could reproduce it now.

A month ago in YouTube we saw that he could still produce the magic deliveries.

But the QEA Final proved that he has the speed and fitness to do it in full spells as before.

Which was always likely. He has just had a six year rest.

But to suggest that domestic nobodies should be ahead of him in the queue - a queue they couldn't master in six years without Asif! That is the delusion.

As for your drugs accusation, I'd like to see you prove that one. Are you trying to get sued for libel?

Lastly, the dressing room. A dressing room which has lost three consecutive Tests. A dressing room whose right-arm quicks are so useless that Mickey Arthur doesn't even dare use them against the kids in Cairns.

Why fawn all over them? You don't omit your best bowler because inferior ones are afraid of losing their place. Do you?
 
Well said. Amir's return was romanticized the same way. Salmam Butt was supposed to be the saviour after a hot start, before he cooled down

To call Asif a more cunning bowler than Wasim or even Waqar who set up batsmen for 10+ years is comical. How many people did Wasim make look like amateurs. Does longevity count for nothing?
You have misunderstood what Asif said.

I watched the entire careers of Imran, Waqar and Wasim. They were faster. They could swing a doctored old ball brilliantly.

But they actually weren't as good with the new ball as Asif was, and evidently still is.

It's just a fact.
 
These arguments need to be dismantled.

Pakistan has had five great pace bowlers in its history.

Three - Imran, Wasim and Waqar - were express. Fazal Mahmood and Asif were medium-fast.

To dispute the quality of a guy with over 100 Test wickets at an average of 24 is absurd. The question was whether he could reproduce it now.

A month ago in YouTube we saw that he could still produce the magic deliveries.

But the QEA Final proved that he has the speed and fitness to do it in full spells as before.

Which was always likely. He has just had a six year rest.

But to suggest that domestic nobodies should be ahead of him in the queue - a queue they couldn't master in six years without Asif! That is the delusion.

As for your drugs accusation, I'd like to see you prove that one. Are you trying to get sued for libel?

Lastly, the dressing room. A dressing room which has lost three consecutive Tests. A dressing room whose right-arm quicks are so useless that Mickey Arthur doesn't even dare use them against the kids in Cairns.

Why fawn all over them? You don't omit your best bowler because inferior ones are afraid of losing their place. Do you?

Let me correct you there once more.

Asif WAS a Pakistani great.

The emphasis on the word "WAS".

It remains to be seen if he "IS" still a Pakistani great.

Yet when you start laughably comparing him to Hazlewood and other bowlers who are at top of their game, is when you start being laughed at.

Anyways, he was arrested in UAE for possession. Now unless he was possessing harmless Vicodin, I am sure you know why he was arrested.

The "nobodies" never got a chance, because you guys never made 5 threads a day for those nobodies !

It's catch-22. They will always be nobodies, unless you make threads about them. But you won't make threads about them, because they are nobodies.

I admire your effort.

I repeat, that if you put this much effort into some other potential budding bowler, Pakistan might actually induct him.

But Asif, it isn't going to happen !
 
What is Asifs avg in Australia?

Performing againist Pak batsman in Domestics isnt some genius act.Or is it?

And Asifs isnt even close to a bowling genius let alone Pakistans greatest.
 
Who cares?

He is a cheat and a repeat offender. I hate him the most
 
Might pick up wickets for a series or so and then will get exposed in international level at this stage of his career.
 
I think someone already posted on the forum that it takes 5-6 days to get sportsman visa.
With the Gabba tests finishing on the 19th and the Boxing Day test starting on the 26th; it is impossible for Asif to play the second test nor is he going to be called up.
 
The guy hasn't even performed fully in 1 domestic season after being 6 years out of cricket and he's labeled to be the greatest bowler currently in Pakistan. Really?

People see one spell of Asif currently and they go ga-ga over him. You also need to consider the fact that he's bowling to Pakistani batsmen in a Pakistani domestic circuit. Imam and Fakhar are hardly international level batsmen. Kohli, Root, Smith, Williamson, Warner, Cook aren't your Imam's and Fakhar's who're going to rollover to Asif.

Asif WAS a great bowler. Still remains to be seen if he can replicate his stuff in International Cricket. No need to tout him to be the greatest genius ever produced. Didn't Amir get about 40+ wickets in domestic matches in 6-7 matches before becoming a bowler who could hardly get wickets at the international stage? And Asif hasn't even matched Amir's numbers in the domestic circuit after the ban. International Cricket is an altogether different beast to Pakistan's domestic cricket.

Also just look at the arrogance this guy possesses. He literally bad-mouthed Pakistan's current bowlers publicly and then wants to be a part of that set-up. How will that set up our team atmosphere. The guy is a walking talking bomb.

Lastly, even if he's considered for selection, he needs to be judged on his domestic performance after having performed amazingly for 2-3 seasons at least. Do we select batsmen who score 4 centuries in 10 domestic matches without him having proven himself over 2-3 seasons? No we don't. So why the preferential red carpet treatment for Asif. He should join the queue. Simple as that.
 
Let me correct you there once more.

Asif WAS a Pakistani great.

The emphasis on the word "WAS".

It remains to be seen if he "IS" still a Pakistani great.

Yet when you start laughably comparing him to Hazlewood and other bowlers who are at top of their game, is when you start being laughed at.

Anyways, he was arrested in UAE for possession. Now unless he was possessing harmless Vicodin, I am sure you know why he was arrested.

The "nobodies" never got a chance, because you guys never made 5 threads a day for those nobodies !

It's catch-22. They will always be nobodies, unless you make threads about them. But you won't make threads about them, because they are nobodies.

I admire your effort.

I repeat, that if you put this much effort into some other potential budding bowler, Pakistan might actually induct him.

But Asif, it isn't going to happen !

agreed....this nattions is emotional and downfall is invitable when u just follow ur emotions..i think pak need to induct mir hamza instead of a criminal...
 
agreed....this nattions is emotional and downfall is invitable when u just follow ur emotions..i think pak need to induct mir hamza instead of a criminal...

His criminal conviction is being reviewed in the UK and will be overturned. The person who created the evidence is in jail himself for faking evidence.

Read "Bookie, Fixer, Gambler, Spy". Then tell me which Pakistanis in the current Test team you think used to fix matches.
 
His criminal conviction is being reviewed in the UK and will be overturned. The person who created the evidence is in jail himself for faking evidence.

Read "Bookie, Fixer, Gambler, Spy". Then tell me which Pakistanis in the current Test team you think used to fix matches.

a famous saying fool me once shame on u fool me twice shame on me..this man has folled this naton thrice..we dont want to win an odd match with criminal minded man who will more likely do it again.....
 
Yeah, greatest bowling genius ever, --------------- after Sadaf, according to some.
 
Lets induct Wasim Akram too while we are at it.

Can't be worse than our lot.
 
In (wet) cold condition the ball will swing the most.

In grounds which are closer to sea maximum reverse swing will happen provided the square is rough and dry.

Wrt bowlers skill level the closer a left arm balls near the stumps the more inswing he will get against a right hand batsman. Vice versa for Waqar, Steyn & Anderson getting outswing against right hand batsman.

Similarly for a left arm baller the more upright his arm during delivery stride is , the more he will get in swing against RHB.

For a left arm baller when he releases the ball his wrist should be facing leg slip for it to come back into RHB. Now how much swing he will get will depend firstly on weather. In gloomy weather it will swing more.

Another main main factor is the ball release. The more the upright seam the more the ball will swing. But the more there are reverse (opposite) revolutions/ anti clockwise revolutions the more the more the ball will swing and will swing more aswell as will swing late at the very last moment.


Now I tell you an exceptional case.

Mohammad Asif.


His arm is very straight which he delivers the ball. But he balls different variations.

He would ball a ball to RHB where seam would be upright (not as upright as Anderson or steyn) but facing slip. This ball will out swing ( it won't swing as much as Anderson or Steyn do).


Now he has a variation which many here call wobbly seam delivery. Anderson also bowls it. McGrath also bowled it (unintensionally) when the seam wasn't completely upright.


But Asif has a distinct Ability. He puts more opposite revolutions on this delivery and he does two tricks.

Once he would have his wrist facing first slip while delivering the ball and by the use of hand he would bowl this delivery which won't be as upright as his other delivery but would slightly wobble. Note if it wobbles more than neither it would swing nor it seam and would remain straight and your coach will tell you since your seam isn't upright hence it's not swinging nor seaming for you. Now the ball in the air slightly gets curved towards slip (outswing) and the bats is playing outswing but it pitches on the seam and seam is facing leg slip and it jags back and batsman gets wrapped on the pad or gets bowled or gets an inside edge.

Than Asif would bowl a similar bowl to left hander whereas now his wrist is pointed towards first slip for LHB Seam is slightly wobbly and more opposite revs on the ball. It cuts the air and slightly curves away in the air batsman and when it lands the seam faces leg slip and it jags back Into left hander and again chances of Lbw and bowled come into play.


Now what is not in control of Asif is that in what position the seam will land.

Imagine Sangakara facing Asif in Kandy. Now Asif is bowling an outswinger to him (with a wobbly seam). Now on instance where the ball pitches on Sean facing slip it will further seam away. While if it pitches facing leg slip it will jag back. Neither Sangakara nor Asif knows what it will do.

The quality and skill in hand of Asif is the ability to release the ball facing first slip or leg slip (wrist aids it) and the ability to wobble the Seam slightly.
(use of hand)


Now he is so accurate that he would bowl in good length plus he is tall so would get bounce too and batsman cannot leave his deliveries with surety that look it's outswing. So he plays with the mind of batsman.


This is why he used to laugh while beating batsman. A cunning laugh. Because he knew they were dancing to his tunes.


Now Sehwag, Tendulkar, Cameron White, Laxman, Dravid deliveries were special. Because they were attempted inswingers with seam marginally facing leg slip while ball was being released but the wobbly seam pitched with seam facing wide leg slip. And with so much opposite revolutions first it swing in air very late and than when it pitched it seamed back. And since it was pitched on a length where batsman isn't sure whether to play on the front foot or backfoot so it became doubly difficult to play it.


Being the Fan of magician I won't be elaborating how he used his hand such that not only the ball wobbles slightly but it also has more opposite revolutions.


Me knowing it doesn't make me Mohammad Asif or being able to compete with him because how will I be able to copy that action which allows me easy means of adjusting two ways wrt wrist position plus the straight arm and ability to bowl bowls after bowls in same good length spots.


It's his natural God given ability.


When he first toured Australia he did not impress much but his line and length were fine. But than he increased his opposite revs so swing aswell as late swing increased and than this wobbly seam delivery which happened in a domestic game with a random experiment and that experiment resulted in strange behaviour of the ball.


He will again be effective at this age provided his shoulders allow him to generate equal revs on the ball as in past. (Not talking about force to generate pace)


Fc Season and precisely 2 bowling spells have proved that he still owns the magic.


I am sorry but none amongst Mir, Sadaf, Shera, Tabish, Abbass, Shehzad or Ali has either got this skill or such control over line and length. (No Offence)
 
Asif truly is a genius with ball in hand. Won't rate him ahead of Wasim in that department but he's definitely the most skilled bowler to have played for Pakistan since Wasim's retirement.

I really do hope we get to see his magic for another 20-25 tests. Ideally, that would happen starting in Australia but it's very unlikely now.

Asif and Bond have been great losses for cricket. Imagine both of them getting to play 80-100 tests and battling for that #1 test bowling spot, along with a peak Dale Steyn and later on, with Mitchell Johnson.
 
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You have misunderstood what Asif said.

I watched the entire careers of Imran, Waqar and Wasim. They were faster. They could swing a doctored old ball brilliantly.

But they actually weren't as good with the new ball as Asif was, and evidently still is.

It's just a fact.

I dont think so- Wasim in particular was a master at setting up batsmen, and so was Waqar later on in his career

It is just less noticeable because they had so many other tools to get wickets. Asif doesn't have all the other tools, so his 'smarts' become very noticeable

regardless, the point still stands that all that all of that was 7 years ago. If Asif wants to play now, he need to prove himself, and he isn't exactly tearing it up on the domestic scene.
How many 5'ers does he have since his return?
 
Pakistan is missing Asif with the pink ball.

When the main issue is new ball bowling CS is more interested in bowler's ability to strike with old ball.

#Bring back M Asif
 
He was key on this tour.

Specially on this pitch. With him bowling his tight lines and moving the ball at that,

Trust me - Aus would've been 100 or 150/6.
 
People are doing the same thing they did with Amir before his return to international cricket. Too much romanticism associated with nostalgia.

Asif is a bowler who can be very good under helpful conditions. But his lack of pace will reduce him to a trundler if his accuracy isn't perfect, which can be very tough to get on Australian tracks. He didn't have a good time in Australia in 2010 iirc, might have some success against the inexperienced Aussie line up now but don't see him sustaining it. Amir still has much better potential than whatever Asif has at this age. It's one thing bowling out batsmen with inadequate techniques on poor pitches in the domestic circuit but it's a whole different kettle of fish doing the same against the unforgiving international batsmen like Smith and Warner on hard Australian wickets.
 
Asif was never the same after he was banned in 2006. He was still very good in 2010 but he'd lost a yard and did not hit the deck with the same intensity.
 
Just watched Asif's spell of 6-41 at Sydney.

All wicket taking deliveries between 127 to 133 kph range.


The only deadly bowler I saw ever who was striker when he was fast medium. Yes on his comeback vs England He clicked 144.5 kph. And was a striker even at 127 kph.
 
To put it simply yes. He was/is ATG level talent who got in his own way. Hoping he at least makes a comeback and ends up playing 50 tests with 250+ wickets at sub 24 avg.
 
A proven performer at the international level doesn't need to play multiple seasons, he just needed to have a strong showing on his comeback season which he has to be considered for selection.

People on here who are just too salty for superficial reasons don't seem to understand that Asif doesn't have the wear and tear of a true 34 year old bowler. Besides his style allows is that he can be effective for 3-4 years.
 
no Asif wasnt more of a genius than Waz. His legend has grown stronger in his absence.
 
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