"Mohammad Asif has always been able to trouble batsmen with the new ball" : Azhar Ali

[Savage]

Pakistan opener Azhar Ali has admitted that the upcoming tour of New Zealand will not be easy as according to him the Kiwis always perform well in their own backyard, but he still backed the men in green to hold their own.

"It will not be easy," Azhar, who was named in the ODI squad following a spell on the sidelines due to a knee injury, told DawnNews on Saturday.

"The Kiwis always perform well on home ground, but ours is a decent unit and our performances in the last six months are there for all to see."

Even though Pakistan lost both the ODI (2-0) and T20I (2-1) series when they visited New Zealand during the 2015-16 season, Azhar feels that encounter was much closer than the final scoreline suggests.

"Even during our last tour we almost managed to win two matches there," he reminded.

Azhar vowed to help the team out in any way he can, saying: "I'll try and play the way the team wants me to and according to the situation. It's our job to do what the team wants. I am very focused."

The former 50-over skipper also offered an update on his health. "I am feeling well after the rehabilitation process."

Before Sarfraz Ahmed assumed ODI team's captaincy earlier this year, it was Azhar who led the side. But the disastrous tour of Australia forced him to resign from his position.

Since then, the same team has flourished under Sarfraz, and Azhar couldn't be happier for his successor.

"Sarfraz is captaining the side very well," he said.

Azhar also seemed to back veteran pacer Mohammad Asif for a comeback to the national fold, saying: "Asif has a lot of experience. He may not have the same pace but there is still a lot of variation in his repertoire."

https://www.dawn.com/news/1378406

 

[Savage]

Azhar Ali:-"Mohammad Asif is a fantastic bowler and there is no doubt about that"
"He has always been able to trouble batsmen with the new ball"
"Asif's pace has greatly reduced which is obvious but he has a lot of experience"
"He still has the ability to bowl with the correct line and length"

 

[Savak]

Asif without pace will be cannon fodder in International Cricket, i saw video clips of him and it is clear he is operating at 126-127 km/hr. International Cricket is not about bowling 20-30 overs with the new ball, i do not see him being effective with the old ball. The PCB might have their reasons for not showing any interest.

 

[mmkextreme_1]

Asif without pace will be cannon fodder in International Cricket, i saw video clips of him and it is clear he is operating at 126-127 km/hr. International Cricket is not about bowling 20-30 overs with the new ball, i do not see him being effective with the old ball. The PCB might have their reasons for not showing any interest.

Also to add to this. He would be even a greater liability in UAE conditions.

Personally, think the UAE should be banned for fast bowlers to play at. Absolutely nothing for the pacemen.

 

[shaz619]

Asif without pace will be cannon fodder in International Cricket, i saw video clips of him and it is clear he is operating at 126-127 km/hr. International Cricket is not about bowling 20-30 overs with the new ball, i do not see him being effective with the old ball. The PCB might have their reasons for not showing any interest.

Pace has never been his forte, he barely operated above that speed range. Prime for Prime, Asif has always been the superior and more skillful bowler then Aamir, had he been the same age then the PCB would have invested in him. Now there's no real point given his age, but that's not a knock on his skill because he probably still is the best new ball bowler in Pakistan and he could reverse the old one to, he taught Jimmy Anderson how to achieve reverse swing as well. There's a reason why Asif has always been held in high regard by his peers when it came to his performances on the pitch.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

At very least PCB needs to help Asif get his coaching badges. His knowledge must be shared. The goal is to produce the next McGrath. I am talking 6'2 plus test and ODI thoroughbred.

 

[CricFan2012]

At very least PCB needs to help Asif get his coaching badges. His knowledge must be shared. The goal is to produce the next McGrath. I am talking 6'2 plus test and ODI thoroughbred.

This.

This will take us a long way, we can produce many asifs and mcgraths by doing this.

 

[KyoOne]

Asif in conditions like England and New Zealand will be gold. We need his kind of players with the new ball.

It has become a very rare sight of us running through top orders with the new ball, something we prided ourselves of.

During Misbah times, our bowlers had become so inept that we had to resort to Hafeez (and guys like Anwar Ali) as a new ball bowler across formats, which is an insult to our rich tradition.

Asif's comeback for specific tours should not be out of question. Horses for courses approach, as they say.

 

[hitthestump]

This.

This will take us a long way, we can produce many asifs and mcgraths by doing this.

For some reason i imagine Asif helping out other countries fast bowlers but not ours.

 

[Madplayer]

Asif needs to be given some coaching role at some level. Its very important.

 

[Godhelpma]

This.

This will take us a long way, we can produce many asifs and mcgraths by doing this.

McGrath himself could not produce a single McGrath type bowler in ten years ,neither in Australia nor in India . Then how do you expect asif to be producing many asif and McGrath type bowlers ? He would be a greater failure in his coaching stint if he does so ,because of lack of professionalism .

 

[Xoib]

Pace has never been his forte, he barely operated above that speed range. Prime for Prime, Asif has always been the superior and more skillful bowler then Aamir, had he been the same age then the PCB would have invested in him. Now there's no real point given his age, but that's not a knock on his skill because he probably still is the best new ball bowler in Pakistan and he could reverse the old one to, he taught Jimmy Anderson how to achieve reverse swing as well. There's a reason why Asif has always been held in high regard by his peers when it came to his performances on the pitch.

So you are a better judge then a guy with 5000 test runs and has faced Asif pre and post ban.Asif was never about pace but he still bowled in 125-135 range which is acceptable if you have high skills like he does current Asif is a yard or two slower and mostly operate in 115-125 and no amount of skill can help you thrive at these speeds.

 

[Madplayer]

McGrath himself could not produce a single McGrath type bowler in ten years ,neither in Australia nor in India . Then how do you expect asif to be producing many asif and McGrath type bowlers ? He would be a greater failure in his coaching stint if he does so ,because of lack of professionalism .

No disrespect to Macgrath ( who is a better bowler than Asif considering his record and longevity) but he is not as cunning as Asif. Perhpas Asif would be able to impart some skills in upcoming bowlers by devicing a strategy which Mcgrath the coach couldnt.

 

[HuzaifaE]

Asif needs to be given some coaching role at some level. Its very important.

Not a fan of players THAT tainted instructing the youth, hardly a lead from example scenario, regardless of the wealth of knowledge. But allowing them to play again sets a precedence that permits that I suppose.

 

[FreePalestine]

Asif teaching youngsters is a terrible idea. Who in their right mind would think this is a good idea?

 

[Cricfan4eva]

It's really staggering to see how quickly some people forget what Asif did. One wouldn't even know we're talking about a tainted player who sold out his country, in this thread. Poor chap Salman Butt wishes he averaged 50, maybe then he would get the same sympathy.

 

[CricFan2012]

McGrath himself could not produce a single McGrath type bowler in ten years ,neither in Australia nor in India . Then how do you expect asif to be producing many asif and McGrath type bowlers ? He would be a greater failure in his coaching stint if he does so ,because of lack of professionalism .

Hazlewood is the same exact bowler as McGrath.

I can guarantee you that if a bowler who has the training, bowling intelligence, money and determination can become an exact replica like McGrath by watching his videos, learning all his variations and practising the same bowling action daily, and with training from the master himself will create another ATG.

I've always had the feeling that some players are selfish, they do not wish to create players like themselves, I mean who wouldn't? Why not coach league teams and make money through media instead of focusing your whole life on the grassroots level to produce players exactly like yourself

 

[Justcrazy]

Asif with new ball is most likely to give you breakthroughs.

 

[Savak]

Asif with new ball is most likely to give you breakthroughs.

But you can only bowl 10-12 overs max with the new ball. What is he going to do with the other 68 overs?

 

[Justcrazy]

But you can only bowl 10-12 overs max with the new ball. What is he going to do with the other 68 overs?

There is no harm in giving him a go. Pakistan at the moment do not have quality new ball bowlers in Tests. If he is not good enough , he can be dropped.

 

[boomboom6]

Pakistan test team is in doldrums, we desperately need a legit new ball bowler. Asif is still the best at it and he doesn't have the mileage of a 35 year old bowler either. What's the worst that can happen?

Asif should be in playing XI for our next test assignment.