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"Pakistan bowlers should look to hit the stumps" : Mohammad Asif

Hawkeye

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Mohammad Asif speaking on TV:

"I am playing domestic cricket now and played one-day cricket last year. I got 14-15 wickets for WAPDA in 3 games so far."

"I am trying and hopefully I can perform well if I make a comeback."

"What's happened has happened and it's in the past, I want to focus on the future. Always be positive, that is my advice to youngsters. Hopefully I can make my place in the team."

"It had been a very long time since we lost to NZ, we had a good track record. Our batting there has always been a flop but the bowling wasn't up to the mark this time."

"They bowlers were bowling according to how they bowl in UAE. The coach and selectors should have thought about that. You can't pick the same bowlers in all conditions. We knew that the ball bounces a bit in NZ and there's some movement."

"I've never seen such pitches in NZ, they aren't so green. They took full advantage of us. They had a lot of new players also. It's not that their debutants performed well but we performed very badly."

"If you look at both the Tests, no one bowled at the wickets. The bowlers bowled where the batsmen wanted. Taylor made a 100 and he played so many cut shots. Don't let him play the cut! It's so simple. They fed his strengths."

"UAE has spoilt our cricket. When we used to play at home, fast bowlers would also get wickets. But in UAE, a spinner bowls from one end all the time. If I am watching the match, I get bored and I change the channel. See the Australia v South Africa match, something is always happening on every ball. It's enjoyable. Same happened in New Zealand."

"I didn't have expectations from the batsmen in the NZ, it was the bowlers who didn't do well. I didn't know what to do when I saw that we won the toss and bowled on such a green pitch with moisture, and then we didn't bowl at the stumps."

"The bowlers think that the ball must reach the keeper. They should just look to hit the stumps. They are only aiming to get caught behinds. The length was too full or too short."

"Wahab Riaz is not a bowler for such pitches. He is good for batting tracks in UAE, Pakistan, India where he can get reverse-swing. But in NZ and Australia, there is usually no reverse swing because the pitches are lively."

"Rahat should have played in the 2nd Test as long as he wasn't injured."

"This pitch was one where a fast-bowler could easily get 11-12 wickets."

"Very good news for Pakistan that Hafeez has been cleared, he is useful for us in ODI and T20 cricket. He hasn't been performing well lately but hopefully he gets into form soon. If he is the same bowler then he should return. He bowls very well even with the fielders in the circle."

"Very difficult for Pakistan, going into Australia series. They have just beaten SA in the D/N match and Pakistan's first match is also a D/N match. The ball swings in the evening. They lost the series to SA but SA has different bowlers and batsman."

"Most important thing for Pakistan going into Australia series is Mickey Arthur and how he lifts the team. He hasn't had much of a role to play so far with the Test team. Previous series was in UAE where we beat teams easily all the time. This is his real test."

"Pakistan's batting approach was wrong, they should have either attacked from the start and put NZ under pressure or they shouldn't have gone for it."

"If Pakistan bowls well then they have a chance in Australia."
 
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I am pretty sure that he had made a comeback alongside 'unlucky' Amir, he would have performed much better than him so far.
 
He's live on Ary news right now. Tune in!!

The bowling genius is speaking and gems coming out. Good insight on bowling and how poor our bowling has become.

He's not holding back and said I didn't expect Pak batting to do well in NZ tracks, but our bowling was very poor and disappointing.

Wahab Riaz is a bowler only for UAE/flat decks - he shouldn't have played in NZ.

You have to target the stumps (bowl full) - don't waste balls by bowling in other areas, don't try to reach the keeper, only reach the stumps.
He should be in Australia.

It's outrageous to select Sohail Khan - supposedly 2 years younger - in place of Asif.

We can all see what is wrong with the techniques of Renshaw and Handscomb. But Asif is the only Pakistani equipped to expose them.
 
I am pretty sure that he had made a comeback alongside 'unlucky' Amir, he would have performed much better than him so far.

A certain famous cricket website just gave Amir top marks among the Pakistan team in NZ.

He's bowling fine.
 
A certain famous cricket website just gave Amir top marks among the Pakistan team in NZ.

He's bowling fine.

None of his fine bowling has translated into any sort of impact. I'm not interested in what his stats look like, but it is his lack of impact that bothers me.

All other pacers have made more impact than Amir and I'm sure Asif would have as well.
 
He's not getting into the team with remarks like "Wahab Riaz is only a bowler for flat decks and shouldn't have played in NZ". He's talking about a current bowler who he's trying to compete against. If Asif was retired then sure, say whatever you want but you can't ridicule a bowler when you yourself are trying to get into the team.
 
A certain famous cricket website just gave Amir top marks among the Pakistan team in NZ.

He's bowling fine.

He's bowling fine and averaging near 30 on wickets that suit him.

How much will he average on flat tracks?
 
He's bowling fine and averaging near 30 on wickets that suit him.

How much will he average on flat tracks?
Is it his fault that he has had 11 catches dropped?

He would be averaging 21 if the same proportion were caught as by any other team.
 
I am pretty sure that he had made a comeback alongside 'unlucky' Amir, he would have performed much better than him so far.

He should be in Australia.

It's outrageous to select Sohail Khan - supposedly 2 years younger - in place of Asif.

We can all see what is wrong with the techniques of Renshaw and Handscomb. But Asif is the only Pakistani equipped to expose them.

Absolutely agree that Asif would've done well, particularly on these NZ green mambas. Asif was a genius at using the seam and with this much grass, he would've had NZ out less than 100!

In England too he would've been very handy.

However, Amir isn't doing too bad either. Yes, not exactly up to expectations, but still better than all our current crop of bowlers.
 
In 6 years pakistan has not found one bowler better than asif or amir, the others are simply not up to standard.
 
Is it his fault that he has had 11 catches dropped?

He would be averaging 21 if the same proportion were caught as by any other team.

Once again, the would-be , could-be factor does not translate into real life.

He averaged 28.5

Do you penalize the bowler if batsmen hits a juicy half volley , or a wide full toss straight to bowler ? Is that a deserved wicket? But it counts, right?

When undeserved wickets can be counted, surely drop catches are also part of the game.

Anyhow, let's see how he performs against Australia.

I don't know how you rate him, higher than Wasim, but to me is just decent bowler who will do best on pure green tops.
 
In 6 years pakistan has not found one bowler better than asif or amir, the others are simply not up to standard.

What standard do you see in Amir?

Or is the supposed 2010 standard?

I don't know why people think Amir is undroppable. He is a decent bowler over the last 3 months at best, with a good burst here and there.

Certainly not a world beater.

Sohail Khan was better in England , but was rejected because of fitness.

Imran Khan won us a series in Sri Lanka, but can't find a game.

Yet mercurial Amir can be called best, despite all evidence to contrary, over the last 3 months that he is actually a potential ATG.
 
Once again, the would-be , could-be factor does not translate into real life.

He averaged 28.5

Do you penalize the bowler if batsmen hits a juicy half volley , or a wide full toss straight to bowler ? Is that a deserved wicket? But it counts, right?

When undeserved wickets can be counted, surely drop catches are also part of the game.

Anyhow, let's see how he performs against Australia.

I don't know how you rate him, higher than Wasim, but to me is just decent bowler who will do best on pure green tops.

I didn't say I rate him higher than Wasim Akram.

I said that he is better with a new red ball than Wasim Akram. But Wasim was much better with the old ball.

Go back to the 1992 tour of England or the 92-93 and 93-94 tours of NZ or 97-98 in South Africa.

Wasim wasn't great with the new ball. In South Africa Fazl-e-Akbar was better, and often Aaqib Javed was better with the new ball.
 
He's not getting into the team with remarks like "Wahab Riaz is only a bowler for flat decks and shouldn't have played in NZ". He's talking about a current bowler who he's trying to compete against. If Asif was retired then sure, say whatever you want but you can't ridicule a bowler when you yourself are trying to get into the team.


Asif is 100 % right but not politically correct. I agree with you.

Not saying he should have lied but he should not have given this comment.
 
He's live on Ary news right now. Tune in!!

The bowling genius is speaking and gems coming out. Good insight on bowling and how poor our bowling has become.

He's not holding back and said I didn't expect Pak batting to do well in NZ tracks, but our bowling was very poor and disappointing.

Wahab Riaz is a bowler only for UAE/flat decks - he shouldn't have played in NZ.

You have to target the stumps (bowl full) - don't waste balls by bowling in other areas, don't try to reach the keeper, only reach the stumps.


What did he say about his injury ? Has he recovered ?
 
Brilliant analysis! No doubt he has an amazing cricketing brain. Amir is not a patch on him. Asif still remains the best Pakistani bowler post Wasim and Waqar. Without him our bowling has been totally exposed.
 
What can we do to bring Asif back? It is appaling to see Amir, Sohail and Imran trundling at 121 125 how can you run through sides at this speed? Wahab's brainless gun barrel straight bowling is useless despite the pace. Asif is the real deal. Our best bowler after Wasim and Waqar.
 
why do people want asif back? he's aging on the wrong side of 30 and hasn't even been close to the same bowler he was before.
 
He should be in Australia.

It's outrageous to select Sohail Khan - supposedly 2 years younger - in place of Asif.

We can all see what is wrong with the techniques of Renshaw and Handscomb. But Asif is the only Pakistani equipped to expose them.


If match fit Asif wins Semifinal or QEA for Wapda than within how many days he can get Australian Visa ?

Will they give him Visa ?


You have to acknowledge that no chief selector would have selected Unfit Asif for Pakistan tour of NZ or Australia.

When QEA started Asif did not play first 2-3 matches because he had hamstring injury which he suffered during training. Than he played 2 matches and at the end of 2nd match he got a side strain which worsened by playing a 3rd match and than he missed last 3 matches.


So how is Sohail Khan's selection ahead of Asif questionable ? Yes he struggles in 2nd innings but He has been a handy number 8 in a terrible batting tail and He has 2 fivefers and 1 fourfer in last 6 Test matches.



The real issue isn't Chief Selector or team management and them not picking Injured Asif now. The real issue is PCB not allowing Asif to play QEA trophy last year when as per ICC he was eligible to play.



Note : This is coming from huge Asif Fan.
 
What is the use of so called fit bowlers when they're so tired in second spells they trundle at 120s? Are their fitness levels acceptable? Sohail , Wahab and Amir lost us the second test match with theif poor fitness and poor bowling.
 
What is the use of so called fit bowlers when they're so tired in second spells they trundle at 120s? Are their fitness levels acceptable? Sohail , Wahab and Amir lost us the second test match with theif poor fitness and poor bowling.


Pakistani batsman lost us the 2nd match.
 
Asif might not get AUS visa. He was once caught with drugs in a major int. air port - I can safely say that it'll take months long effort at Govt. level to get a visa for Canada - AUS is not much different. It was easy for Amir because PCB might have bargained with UK immigration - Asif/Butt won't be called, in exchange Amir will get a visa. That UK visa made it easier for him in AUS/NZ.


Any way - can anyone authentically inform exactly what's the level of his fitness? I know in domestics, often bowlers take it easy; hence he might had been bowling with less stress in body - still didn't last more than 4/5 matches, then now out for almost 2 months & counting. If fit, he would have got more wickets to anyone in current lot; simply because he knows the art of getting wickets. For most part of NZ series, barring Amir, how pathetic PAK pacers bowled on such tracks will be exposed next month when BD will be touring there - let's wait.
 
he def has some balls or maybe a lack of brain; hasnt played in almost a month. bowled attack against UBL and went wicketless in a game where his opening partner took a 6fer and 1st change took the other 4, both seamers. i used to be his biggest fan but he is his own worst enemy and his repeated offenses have deservedly kept him out of pakistan's lineup. good riddance!!!
 
If he cant make at back at international level as a player he should be looked at as some sort of bowling coach for the current international players.
 
Asif might not get AUS visa. He was once caught with drugs in a major int. air port - I can safely say that it'll take months long effort at Govt. level to get a visa for Canada - AUS is not much different. It was easy for Amir because PCB might have bargained with UK immigration - Asif/Butt won't be called, in exchange Amir will get a visa. That UK visa made it easier for him in AUS/NZ.


Any way - can anyone authentically inform exactly what's the level of his fitness? I know in domestics, often bowlers take it easy; hence he might had been bowling with less stress in body - still didn't last more than 4/5 matches, then now out for almost 2 months & counting. If fit, he would have got more wickets to anyone in current lot; simply because he knows the art of getting wickets. For most part of NZ series, barring Amir, how pathetic PAK pacers bowled on such tracks will be exposed next month when BD will be touring there - let's wait.

Normally a good poster but no way Bangladesh will bowl better. Only Taskin is good.
 
He's live on Ary news right now. Tune in!!

The bowling genius is speaking and gems coming out. Good insight on bowling and how poor our bowling has become.

He's not holding back and said I didn't expect Pak batting to do well in NZ tracks, but our bowling was very poor and disappointing.

Wahab Riaz is a bowler only for UAE/flat decks - he shouldn't have played in NZ.

You have to target the stumps (bowl full) - don't waste balls by bowling in other areas, don't try to reach the keeper, only reach the stumps.

So true, Wahab Riaz is an erratic bowler and does 2 things reverse swing or Bouncers. on a low scoring green pitches. He is close to Useless. Wahab is only good on Bouncy tracks (South Africa & Australia) or Dry tracks (UAE, Pakistan, some English Pitches etc) where there is chance of Reverse Swing later in the Innings. Don't understand why he was preferred to Rahat Ali who Got 4 Wickets in the first test match.
 
Asif might not get AUS visa. He was once caught with drugs in a major int. air port - I can safely say that it'll take months long effort at Govt. level to get a visa for Canada - AUS is not much different. It was easy for Amir because PCB might have bargained with UK immigration - Asif/Butt won't be called, in exchange Amir will get a visa. That UK visa made it easier for him in AUS/NZ.


Any way - can anyone authentically inform exactly what's the level of his fitness? I know in domestics, often bowlers take it easy; hence he might had been bowling with less stress in body - still didn't last more than 4/5 matches, then now out for almost 2 months & counting. If fit, he would have got more wickets to anyone in current lot; simply because he knows the art of getting wickets. For most part of NZ series, barring Amir, how pathetic PAK pacers bowled on such tracks will be exposed next month when BD will be touring there - let's wait.

He has already been to Australia since that UAE drug bust.
 
It was the terrible bowling that lost us the match. Poor line and length no pace defensive mindset unfit bowlers it was piece of cake for NZ batsmen to score off them.


The position we were in on Day 5 especially after the Opening stand we should have been able to draw the Test.

For the first 20-25 overs of the day we had absolutely THakka being applied where we scored runs at 1.25 runs per over. The Plan and execution both were at fault. Apparently as per Captain we were chasing the total like this ¿

It was next 30 overs that we played the way we should have played first 25 overs and than We knew we could not win so should have opted for draw but we just collapsed in a typical Pakistani way losing 9 wickets in no time against World number 7 ranked team.


So we lost the test due to our batsman.


Yes the bowlers were not upto the mark either and lacked penetration but the credit of defeat goes more to batsman.


My View. You can disagree.
 
The position we were in on Day 5 especially after the Opening stand we should have been able to draw the Test.

For the first 20-25 overs of the day we had absolutely THakka being applied where we scored runs at 1.25 runs per over. The Plan and execution both were at fault. Apparently as per Captain we were chasing the total like this ¿

It was next 30 overs that we played the way we should have played first 25 overs and than We knew we could not win so should have opted for draw but we just collapsed in a typical Pakistani way losing 9 wickets in no time against World number 7 ranked team.


So we lost the test due to our batsman.


Yes the bowlers were not upto the mark either and lacked penetration but the credit of defeat goes more to batsman.


My View. You can disagree.

Respect your opinion bro. In my humble view , Pak batting has always been fragile and prone to collapse but even with that fragile batting we managed to beat NZ in NZ because of our fast bowling. A target of over 200 was always going to be iffy for us. The bowlers failed to do their basic job of putting pressure on NZ and restricting them on bowler friendly wickets that's why I would lay the blame on them.
 
Normally a good poster but no way Bangladesh will bowl better. Only Taskin is good.

It has nothing to do with god, bad or ugly poster - I requested to wait & see. Bowling on green tops is different art - what PAK pacers did on 1st day of 2nd Test for 20 overs is difficult to match in English league cricket.

By the way - you can't be more wrong on your last line. Taskin might be the fastest, but if everyone is fit & avaiable - he'll be 3rd or 4th choice for those wickets.
 
He has already been to Australia since that UAE drug bust.

May be, but rules are changing with everyday - try to watch the documentary "Border Security". In last 4/5 years isolated countries like AUS, NZ, Singapore, Canada, Japan has gone crazy on drug trafficking. I don't think, it's like 2010 any more; besides he was convicted in UK - it'll be difficult for him to enter in common wealth countries.
 
I think there has been unnecessary criticism on bowlers. Yes, there is no stand-out bowler but they have done better as a pack. They took all English wickets twice in 2 test matches in England on not so bowler friendly pitches. Even in NZ, they did not let NZ score a big total once. You really can't win a test match if your batsmen barely score 200 in an inning.
 
The position we were in on Day 5 especially after the Opening stand we should have been able to draw the Test.

For the first 20-25 overs of the day we had absolutely THakka being applied where we scored runs at 1.25 runs per over. The Plan and execution both were at fault. Apparently as per Captain we were chasing the total like this ¿

It was next 30 overs that we played the way we should have played first 25 overs and than We knew we could not win so should have opted for draw but we just collapsed in a typical Pakistani way losing 9 wickets in no time against World number 7 ranked team.


So we lost the test due to our batsman.


Yes the bowlers were not upto the mark either and lacked penetration but the credit of defeat goes more to batsman.


My View. You can disagree.

I think, PAK lost the Test for double mind in Day 5 - no shame in trying to chase 369 & lose; but it's stupid to raise run rate from 2 to 6 either side of tea.

However, PAK didn't win the Test because of 1st innings bowling. It couldn't have been better fitted for a 4 men pace attack - 23 overs on day 1, over night rest & then 30 minutes early start on Day 2 under heavy cloud. Drop catches didn't help, but PAK pacers wasted the new ball pathetically.

People has allergy with some country, so I won't mention - but trust me, India would have batted before lunch on Day 2!!!!!! with Bhubi, Sami, Ishant & Umesh bowling on same wicket & condition against same line up.

It was a horror show with ball apart from 3 overs of Amir, when he created 3 chances to Kiwis 1, 2 & 3 with Ross coming to slog around at 4. A proper bowling & catching in 1st innings could have set PAK to bowl on 3rd morning, again under cloud & still the wicket greenish - with a lead of 60+ !!!!
 
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This guy really knows his cricket. There was a web series on Youtube of just him visiting numerous cricketing academies and just talking about fast bowling. None of that "lock wrist and flick" nonsense, he actually had quite a lot of insight and knew how to explain it well.

Really should've taken a gamble and played him in NZ over any of the other two right arm trundlers.
 
He's not getting into the team with remarks like "Wahab Riaz is only a bowler for flat decks and shouldn't have played in NZ". He's talking about a current bowler who he's trying to compete against. If Asif was retired then sure, say whatever you want but you can't ridicule a bowler when you yourself are trying to get into the team.
but that's a genius comment though. He is absolutely spot on. Wahab has only one delivery the reverse swing otherwise he is not useful at all.
 
The length was largely wrong.

Short of a length or too short or overpitched.

What someone like Asif at his best would have done was to bowl on a good length with a bit of inswing or outswing and it would have been more than enough.
 
We'll select him when it's too late, if he is in form and taking wickets, PICK him.
 
I'd even take a hobbling and half-injured Asif over dross like Rahat and Imran.
 
I am pretty sure that he had made a comeback alongside 'unlucky' Amir, he would have performed much better than him so far.

It takes two to tango. Amir has been unlucky with dropped catches, plus less pressure from the other side... Most of the time, world class bowlers are found in pairs... If you take out Hazelwood or Strac, other's effectiveness would be reduced significantly. Same goes for Anderson/Broad...Wasim was working along side Imran, then Waqar, then Shoiab, that was big help for both parties... Right now Amir is not the only problem, there are too many relief deliveries from the other end...Amir's swing is less and pace is down, it does not help if there is no pressure from the other end.

If both Amir and Asif came back, we would have seen lot better results, and both have came back to peak quicker than what we see with Amir... People underestimate the importance of bowlers working in pair. Very rarely you would see single bowler shine. That's why it was such a big loss to Pakistan back in 2010, when you loose two top tier bowlers in a day.
 
one domestic innings shouldn't come close to justifying international selection especially with his other issues.

Even Amir has not preformed up to the expectation of fans since his return, still he is the best fast bowler we got ATM and he is performing 50% of what was expected of him. What that tells you?? - Asif can easily come back and make an impact. Both together (Amir and Asif) would make Pakistan a lot better attack on most conditions. Not to mention we have Yasir, Trio can unsettle many top batsmen.

All other bowlers we got are rubbish and are too one dimensional...They bowl too many hit me deliveries. Rahat and Wahab bowls 10% Jaffas and 90% rubbish mostly. Sohail can swing in first spell, but have no stamina for second and third spell...
 
Get him coaching...

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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RTHx-zcf694" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
If match fit Asif wins Semifinal or QEA for Wapda than within how many days he can get Australian Visa ?

Will they give him Visa ?


You have to acknowledge that no chief selector would have selected Unfit Asif for Pakistan tour of NZ or Australia.

When QEA started Asif did not play first 2-3 matches because he had hamstring injury which he suffered during training. Than he played 2 matches and at the end of 2nd match he got a side strain which worsened by playing a 3rd match and than he missed last 3 matches.


So how is Sohail Khan's selection ahead of Asif questionable ? Yes he struggles in 2nd innings but He has been a handy number 8 in a terrible batting tail and He has 2 fivefers and 1 fourfer in last 6 Test matches.



The real issue isn't Chief Selector or team management and them not picking Injured Asif now. The real issue is PCB not allowing Asif to play QEA trophy last year when as per ICC he was eligible to play.



Note : This is coming from huge Asif Fan.

I noticed that M Irfan is playing QEA and bowling 15-20 overs per innings... Would love to see him for GABBA D/N match ;-)
 
I noticed that M Irfan is playing QEA and bowling 15-20 overs per innings... Would love to see him for GABBA D/N match ;-)


He willcome out holding his hamstring after fielding at Cement like rock solid outfield.


For Day Night Test we need bowlers who can swing or seam the ball. Irfan relies on pace and bounce. If Fit Irfan can win us 3rd Odi at Perth but he may not play 2019 Wc so it won't be a good idea to recall him into the Odi side.


I would have been tempted to pick Ghulam Mudassar for the Pink Ball Test if he had better control on line and length. He is too young so will gain control in a year or two but He is the real deal.
 
Even Amir has not preformed up to the expectation of fans since his return, still he is the best fast bowler we got ATM and he is performing 50% of what was expected of him. What that tells you?? - Asif can easily come back and make an impact. Both together (Amir and Asif) would make Pakistan a lot better attack on most conditions. Not to mention we have Yasir, Trio can unsettle many top batsmen.

All other bowlers we got are rubbish and are too one dimensional...They bowl too many hit me deliveries. Rahat and Wahab bowls 10% Jaffas and 90% rubbish mostly. Sohail can swing in first spell, but have no stamina for second and third spell...

the difference is in age. Amir is still only 24, plenty of time to get better. Asif's best days are behind him, he's about to turn 34
 
If we watch footage of Shpageeza Cricket League than we can see that Asif was bowling between 126-135 kph which means he has not lost pace and is still medium fast.
 
I think Asif has no future in PCB. He was a better bowler than what he did. We miss him but in respect of what he did he surely missed.
 
Asif needs to be groomed to Coach Pakistani Youngsters in the long run. This man seriously knows fast Bowling
 
Bring back Asif and give him the oppurtunity like Walsh & Hadlee got after the age of 33.
 
After his playing days are finished Pakistan will be FOOLISH not to have him interact with youngsters on Fast Bowling.

Let a few people monitor the Interaction if you are worried about Ethics.

But this man KNOWS the art of fast bowling better then Wasim or Akhtar or Waqar
 
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