What more must Mohammad Asif do?

[Junaids]

The ICC has cleared Mohammad Asif to play for Pakistan. They did so 14 months ago.

The PCB Chairman stated on 14 July 2016 that Asif and Butt would be selected if they "Knock down the door" with their performances. He explicitly stated that past misdemeanours were not an impediment to selection - it would be based on performance.

Mohammad Asif has done exactly that.

His performance against Peshawar was so exceptional that all four wickets were shown by ESPNCricinfo, something which never happens for domestic performances in Pakistan.

It was the best performance by a Pakistani right-arm quick for 6 years.....since Mohammad Asif last played for Pakistan.

Pakistan is about to embark on Test tours to New Zealand and Australia. Even after Asif's six year absence, there is no other right-arm quick who has nailed down a place - Sohail Khan is down on pace, short on stamina and just plain inferior to Mohammad Asif. And Imran Khan can't even get into the team in the absence of Asif.

Mohammad Asif is now almost 34.

It's now or never.

And not just for Asif.

If Pakistan wins in Australia, they secure the Number 1 ranking in Test cricket. If they lose, they will fall to number 5.

As I wrote, it's now or never. For BOTH Asif AND Pakistan.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

If it was up to me I'd buy his ticket to Australia right now. Just imagine this : Amir and Asif with the new ball. Wahab and Yasir first change (Both will be very good in Australia). Plus one all rounder. That is a hell of an attack for Australian conditions. Now replace Asif with Sohail Khan. The whole look completely changes

 

[Junaids]

If it was up to me I'd buy his ticket to Australia right now. Just imagine this : Amir and Asif with the new ball. Wahab and Yasir first change (Both will be very good in Australia). Plus one all rounder. That is a hell of an attack for Australian conditions. Now replace Asif with Sohail Khan. The whole look completely changes

Absolutely!

In particular, the threat of Wahab Riaz basically requires the other three bowlers to keep it tight and ensure that Misbah can let Wahab off the leash to rough up the batsmen.

Mitchell Johnson's second coming against England and South Africa three years ago was possible because at the other end Ryan Harris combined menace with economy.

Without Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson was never the same threat again. He bowled some incredible deliveries in his final Ashes in England 16 months ago, but the control was gone. Not his control, the attack's control.

Asif is the missing part of the jigsaw who allows Wahab to be used like Mitchell Johnson.

 

[goran]

In the absence of Asif, not a single right-arm pacer has been able to cement his place in the team. This fact alone should be enough to justify his selection. If we don't select him for the NZ & AUS tours, it will be a big loss for us and for him.

 

[Anfield]

We don't need a serial offender in our team.

 

[Junaids]

The most annoying and irrelevant argument is that "Asif should not be picked until he has performed for an entire domestic season".

1. He would have performed LAST domestic season, if the PCB hadn't prevented him from playing even though the ICC had cleared him. (The ICC had told the PCB to do his rehabilitation DURING his ban. The PCB delayed it until AFTER his ban, which annoyed the ICC so they cleared him anyway).

2. Which other right-armer is going to dismiss Williamson, Warner, Smith and Voges?

3. Why refuse to play a bowler who is almost 34 and make him wait until he is almost 35?

4. Why refuse to play a right-arm medium-fast bowler in Australia and New Zealand, only to then play him on unfavourable surfaces in the UAE?

 

[Junaids]

We don't need a serial offender in our team.

Ah, that old chestnut.

David Warner is a serial offender. He will be there.

Who is more likely to dismiss Warner? Mohammad Asif or Sohail Khan?

Remember, the three left-arm quicks model failed in England, and anyway would create far too much rough for Nathan Lyon.

Either Mohammad Asif or Sohail Khan or Imran Khan will be bowling to Warner, Smith, Khawaja, Voges and the 2 Marshes.

And you can bet your bottom dollar that the only one of those three bowlers those Aussies don't want to face is Mohammad Asif.

You know, the guy who took 6-41 last time he played a Test at Sydney.

 

[Asim2Good]

is it Junaid "Before England Tour" all over again ?

 

[kingusama92]

He should be selected.

Let's be honest, Mohammad Asif at 34 is still miles better than Sohail Khan. We're only hurting ourselves by not selecting him.

Plus, he has experience of Australian conditions from 2009/10 including an excellent performance in Sydney.

 

[Suleiman]

Love Junaids bhai's dramaybaaz posts. Am a big fan of Asif and def want him to reach the same heights and be selected again.

But you must be having delusions of grandeur if you think him ALONE is going to be the difference between us winning or losing vs Aus.

This is exactly how people were begging, crying, and making prayers for Amir last year that he was apparently going to be the difference between us and England in this recent English tour.

He wasn't. In fact, he was pretty average.

Likewise, Asif isn't some savior either.

Pakistan's test team is so formidable atm because it plays as a unit. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. We don't have any world beaters in this team let's face it. We have dedicated, disciplined players who chip away at the opposition team with everyone doing their part. That's how we are going to win in Aus IF it happens (huge long shot).

If you really think an Asif who has just played 2-3 top tier level FC games after 6 years is going to end Smith and Warner's careers then honestly you're a friggin legend and I wish everybody was that positive about everything in their lives.

 

[Junaids]

Love Junaids bhai's dramaybaaz posts. Am a big fan of Asif and def want him to reach the same heights and be selected again.

But you must be having delusions of grandeur if you think him ALONE is going to be the difference between us winning or losing vs Aus.

This is exactly how people were begging, crying, and making prayers for Amir last year that he was apparently going to be the difference between us and England in this recent English tour.

He wasn't. In fact, he was pretty average.

Likewise, Asif isn't some savior either.

Pakistan's test team is so formidable atm because it plays as a unit. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. We don't have any world beaters in this team let's face it. We have dedicated, disciplined players who chip away at the opposition team with everyone doing their part. That's how we are going to win in Aus IF it happens (huge long shot).

If you really think an Asif who has just played 2-3 top tier level FC games after 6 years is going to end Smith and Warner's careers then honestly you're a friggin legend and I wish everybody was that positive about everything in their lives.

I think that Asif could easily end the careers of whichever of Burns, Khawaja, Grandpa Voges, two Marshes and Nevill play.

I also think that he is by far the most likely bowler to dismiss Steve Smith.

 

[Asim2Good]

He should be selected.

Let's be honest, Mohammad Asif at 34 is still miles better than Sohail Khan. We're only hurting ourselves by not selecting him.

Plus, he has experience of Australian conditions from 2009/10 including an excellent performance in Sydney.

with test avg of 35 in Australia
with match figure of 120/3 in first test
and match figure of 150-/2 in 3rd test

we can degrade Sohail Khan as much as we want but guy was able to deliver in England with 2 five wicket hauls in 2 test matches against strong Eng team in their backyard

 

[kingusama92]

with test avg of 35 in Australia
with match figure of 120/3 in first test
and match figure of 150-/2 in 3rd test

we can degrade Sohail Khan as much as we want but guy was able to deliver in England with 2 five wicket hauls in 2 test matches against strong Eng team in their backyard

His performance was exemplary, but his fitness isn't there.

Look for a pattern in how he's performed and you'll notice a glaring issue. He only shows up for the 1st innings.

He's faded twice in England and now twice against WI. Why? Because his fitness doesn't allow for him to remain useful past his first spell.

I feel selecting him is just as much of a risk as selecting Asif, but the rewards are higher with Asif.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Ali Imran Pasha is a better option than him.

 

[Analyze1]

just let himplay one chance

 

[Ellipsism]

Is this what we have come to? Wanting to draft bowlers into the National team who take wickets against a pack of obscure club level cricketers.

In the event that he performs against top class batting line ups then you have a claim to back your desires.

Waqas Maqsood took 8 wickets in this game, if you don't know he is, he bowls between 125-130 KPH and can't swing the ball unless there is assistance on offer, that's an indication of the quality of cricket being played here.

Mir Hamza has been performing on A Tours and in Domestic Cricket. Shouldn't he get the nod ahead of Asif?

 

[Ellipsism]

just let himplay one chance

This is International Cricket buddy. We don't just offer places to players, to give them a "chance".

 

[Slog]

Junaids Bhai with his senseless rant

At his peak asif averaged 35 in Australia

His only noteworthy performance in Australia is a 6fer in Sydney where the grass on the pitch was one inch long and asif got to bowl on the first day of the match with heavy cloud cover over him

The way the case is being made for him is as if Asif is some ATG in Aussie conditions

 

[Haroon786]

Junaids Bhai with his senseless rant

At his peak asif averaged 35 in Australia

His only noteworthy performance in Australia is a 6fer in Sydney where the grass on the pitch was one inch long and asif got to bowl on the first day of the match with heavy cloud cover over him

The way the case is being made for him is as if Asif is some ATG in Aussie conditions

That too vs the worst Australian team in 25 years.

 

[Junaids]

Junaids Bhai with his senseless rant

At his peak asif averaged 35 in Australia

His only noteworthy performance in Australia is a 6fer in Sydney where the grass on the pitch was one inch long and asif got to bowl on the first day of the match with heavy cloud cover over him

The way the case is being made for him is as if Asif is some ATG in Aussie conditions

There have now been around 20 Pink Ball Day/Night matches in Australia.

All the evidence is that the most effective bowlers are a minimum of 6 foot 4 (Hazelwood/Behrendorf), bowl over the wicket close to the stumps, and every single ball starts off pitched full, heading towards the top of off-stump and nibbling an inch in or out.

There are only two Pakistanis who can do that - Mohammad Asif and Ehsan Adil. And the choice for the Brisbane Test should be between those two.

 

[Slog]

That too vs the worst Australian team in 25 years.

That's irrelevant and tbh it was fairly solid

But that's the greenest pitch I've seen in Australia ever

 

[Junaids]

That's irrelevant and tbh it was fairly solid

But that's the greenest pitch I've seen in Australia ever

Which means that the pitch was probably identical to the one that Pakistan will play on in the First Test at the Gabba. (It will be green to protect the Pink Ball).

So you would omit the guy who took 6-41 in identical conditions on the last tour?

 

[Haroon786]

That's irrelevant and tbh it was fairly solid

But that's the greenest pitch I've seen in Australia ever

No it wasn't - it doesn't hold a candle to any of the teams that Australia over the previous 20 years before it and the one that Smith now leads, it had guys like Hauritz, Siddle and Hilfenhaus leading the attack - that tells you about the calibre of that team.

 

[Haroon786]

Which means that the pitch was probably identical to the one that Pakistan will play on in the First Test at the Gabba. (It will be green to protect the Pink Ball).

So you would omit the guy who took 6-41 in identical conditions on the last tour?

You can't pick someone on the basis of 4 wickets, even if it's Mohammad Asif.

Amir was picked after performing for 3-4 months and after tearing up the domestic FC scene by averaging sub 20, when Asif replicates even half of that you can stake a claim for his selection but not now when he hasn't proved anything.

Also, the PCB have clearly shown they don't want him in the national team ever again, so even if he performs I don't think he will get selected.

 

[Junaids]

You can't pick someone on the basis of 4 wickets, even if it's Mohammad Asif.

Amir was picked after performing for 3-4 months and after tearing up the domestic FC scene by averaging sub 20, when Asif replicates even half of that you can stake a claim for his selection but not now when he hasn't proved anything.

Also, the PCB have clearly shown they don't want him in the national team ever again, so even if he performs I don't think he will get selected.

Can we address those two points separately?


POINT ONE: "You can't pick someone on the basis of 4 wickets, even if it's Mohammad Asif."

Are you sure about that?

That is EXACTLY what Italy did when their centre-forward Paolo Rossi had his matchfixing ban cancelled straight before the 1982 World Cup. And he single-handedly won that World Cup for them.

There are countless other sporting precedents. Ronaldo returning from 18 months of injury immediately before the 2002 World Cup - and his goals winning it for Brazil.

Terry Alderman returning from his 3 year Apartheid ban to take 41 wickets in the 1989 Ashes series. Graham Gooch returning from his Apartheid ban.

POINT 2: "the PCB have clearly shown they don't want him in the national team ever again, so even if he performs I don't think he will get selected."

Are you sure?

If you return to the original title, you are saying that Shaharyar Khan was lying on 14 July when he said that the door was open. Which would mean "there is nothing Asif can do to get back in the team" - the Andrew Strauss/Kevin Pietersen position.

And since Andrew Strauss gave Pietersen that bombshell - while he was 355 not out, having been told by Pietersen's boss that he could return to the team if he played well enough - England have lost 5 home Tests out of 11 against Top Six nations.

If Pakistan takes the same dogmatic approach to Asif, expect the same sort of sequence of defeats in Australia.

 

[kingusama92]

Is this what we have come to? Wanting to draft bowlers into the National team who take wickets against a pack of obscure club level cricketers.

In the event that he performs against top class batting line ups then you have a claim to back your desires.

Waqas Maqsood took 8 wickets in this game, if you don't know he is, he bowls between 125-130 KPH and can't swing the ball unless there is assistance on offer, that's an indication of the quality of cricket being played here.

Mir Hamza has been performing on A Tours and in Domestic Cricket. Shouldn't he get the nod ahead of Asif?

There's a difference.

Asif has already shown he can transfer his performances on the biggest level.

The same way you would pick Graeme Thorpe (45 FC avg) over Mark Ramprakash (53+ FC avg). One was a proven performer in tests and the other ended with a test average of 27.

And you're really going to throw a rookie into the lion's den in Australia?

 

[Slog]

Can we address those two points separately?


POINT ONE: "You can't pick someone on the basis of 4 wickets, even if it's Mohammad Asif."

Are you sure about that?

That is EXACTLY what Italy did when their centre-forward Paolo Rossi had his matchfixing ban cancelled straight before the 1982 World Cup. And he single-handedly won that World Cup for them.

There are countless other sporting precedents. Ronaldo returning from 18 months of injury immediately before the 2002 World Cup - and his goals winning it for Brazil.

Terry Alderman returning from his 3 year Apartheid ban to take 41 wickets in the 1989 Ashes series. Graham Gooch returning from his Apartheid ban.

POINT 2: "the PCB have clearly shown they don't want him in the national team ever again, so even if he performs I don't think he will get selected."

Are you sure?

If you return to the original title, you are saying that Shaharyar Khan was lying on 14 July when he said that the door was open. Which would mean "there is nothing Asif can do to get back in the team" - the Andrew Strauss/Kevin Pietersen position.

And since Andrew Strauss gave Pietersen that bombshell - while he was 355 not out, having been told by Pietersen's boss that he could return to the team if he played well enough - England have lost 5 home Tests out of 11 against Top Six nations.

If Pakistan takes the same dogmatic approach to Asif, expect the same sort of sequence of defeats in Australia.

The sequence of defeats was still there when had asif in his peak so he is hardly one to be pinning hopes on for breaking that sequence

 

[sandsaims]

Ah, that old chestnut.

David Warner is a serial offender. He will be there.

Who is more likely to dismiss Warner? Mohammad Asif or Sohail Khan?

Remember, the three left-arm quicks model failed in England, and anyway would create far too much rough for Nathan Lyon.

Either Mohammad Asif or Sohail Khan or Imran Khan will be bowling to Warner, Smith, Khawaja, Voges and the 2 Marshes.

And you can bet your bottom dollar that the only one of

Are you trying to equate a druggie and a convicted match fixer to warner???

 

[Red Devil]

I'm a huge fan of Asif the bowler, but lets get real. He's not going to get greentops in Australia this time around. And with his pace, he'd probably struggle big time. You can't expect someone to comeback after 6 years and start dominating the likes of Smith and Warner, and that too in Australia, which is probably the toughest place in the world for touring teams.

Wahab is going to be our best pacer in Australia, followed by Amir.

 

[Mr. Imperfect]

Lol, calm down please, he has only played few FC games, let him perform on consistent basis, then he may catch attention of the selectors, it's not over for him, yet.

 

[Junaids]

I'm a huge fan of Asif the bowler, but lets get real. He's not going to get greentops in Australia this time around. And with his pace, he'd probably struggle big time. You can't expect someone to comeback after 6 years and start dominating the likes of Smith and Warner, and that too in Australia, which is probably the toughest place in the world for touring teams.

Wahab is going to be our best pacer in Australia, followed by Amir.

He will unquestionably get a greentop at the Gabba - they are using the Pink Ball, and Cricket Australia has strict instructions to curators that Pink Ball matches are to be played on grassy pitches.

Sydney and Melbourne won't be greentops, but the First Test definitely will be.

I love Wahab, but he will be a total waste of space at the Gabba.

 

[proud_pakistani]

I will tell you what Mohd Asif has to do. He needs to build a time machine, go back in time and reverse all the wrongs he has done.

 

[coy0607]

Mohammad Asif was fantastic 6 years ago, but that was 6 years ago

Since coming back, he's only had the 1 great performance of note. We'll be alright without Asif, he isn't quite the destroyer of batting attacks that the OP makes him out to be

 

[Junaids]

I will tell you what Mohd Asif has to do. He needs to build a time machine, go back in time and reverse all the wrongs he has done.

So do you:

1) Disavow the 5 year ban?
2) Believe only in punishment and not rehabilitation?
3) Feel proud playing inferior players and getting worse results in Australia?

 

[Pete Rose]

he needs to take ten wickets in a match before the test squad is announced. short of that, it will be next year selection.

 

[Saj]

Interviewed Salman Butt recently. Interesting what he had to say about Asif's bowling.

Coming soon......

 

[Junaids]

Interviewed Salman Butt recently. Interesting what he had to say about Asif's bowling.

Coming soon......

I can't wait!

I always think of Mohammad Asif not so much as a quick bowler but as a traditional medium-pacer along the lines of Tom Cartwright in the 1960s or even SF Barnes at the dawn of the twentieth century.

Neither remotely relied upon pace. Barnes was still an ATG Test bowler in his forties, and Cartwright took hundreds of wickets in his very late thirties.

Such bowlers are in some ways similar to Ravinda Jadeja on a square turner. They push the ball through too quickly to be played off the back foot when the ball is full, but they get enough movement in and out to flummox batsmen who have no choice but to play forward.

I really do think that failure to select Asif to go to Australia would be a monumental act of self-destruction by Inzamam-ul-Haq.

It would be like Australia leaving out Mitchell Starc. Not in terms of any past misdemeanours, just a case of chopping off one leg before you start a race.

 

[Hawkeye]

He will unquestionably get a greentop at the Gabba - they are using the Pink Ball, and Cricket Australia has strict instructions to curators that Pink Ball matches are to be played on grassy pitches.

Sydney and Melbourne won't be greentops, but the First Test definitely will be.

I love Wahab, but he will be a total waste of space at the Gabba.

Asif will be a force if he gets seam friendly grassy pitch.

Heck, he'll end some careers like you said! But, if we get flat runways, which is likely, he won't be spared by Warner and co. with that pace.

I do wish to see what he can do in intl cricket.

 

[honeybadger]

Get a time machine.

 

[JibranAnsari]

PCB Dont like him and rightly so , he won't be picked. Dont want him caught again with some drugs in his pocket.

 

[godzilla]

thankfully, despite the horrific management of the pcb and their desperately vacuous intelligent, they still have the wherewithal to know that to extrapolate one inning's performance in a game where he wasnt even the best bowler in the innings or the match, is nothing short of stupid. he was outperformed by a complete nobody.

one day doesnt constitute 'knocking down the door' in any context anywhere in a sensible world. if he can take this form forwards and demonstrate it in a season, then that makes a case. we have seen what this foolish strategy of unsubstantiated wishful thinking has resulted with amir. he's not ready either, and is mediocre at present.

 

[proud_pakistani]

So do you:

1) Disavow the 5 year ban?
2) Believe only in punishment and not rehabilitation?
3) Feel proud playing inferior players and getting worse results in Australia?

As a person I firmly believe in giving people 2nd chances. The issue with Asif is he has been in many tricky situations. Be it drug abuse, fighting and match fixing. Which is why I have accepted Aamir back in the team.

Asif is a very good bowler but we can easily survive without him. We can not afford another blunder from him. Sometimes u have to play inferior players when the superior ones can not discipline themselves. It is a big risk playing Asif. My honest opinion.

 

[Mainul]

Asif is a rare talent which Pakistan must not destroy.There is still no replacement for Asif.

He has served his punishment and he deserves it second chance.Cricket world has accepted Aamir and so they will Asif.

 

[adil_909]

How have so many forgiven him and butt for their actions? The two should never play international cricket for pakistan again. They can play domestic all they want to earn money for their families, but they both shamed us internationally, and denied it over and over and over again until there was no where to go. Their behavior both during and after the scandal disqualifies them from the national team in my opinion. It doesn't matter to me if Asif is in the form of his life, or if our team is worse off with out him. There are things more important than winning and losing cricket matches, and I never want to see Asif wearing the Pakistan jersey again.

 

[aloo paratha]

Brainless post, what about the bowlers who've been performing in FC cricket for years?? You're better off picking a newer talent like Muhammad Abbas or if you want an oldie you might as well get Tabish Khan. Lol takes a couple of wickets in a couple of FC games and suddenly he's the Asif of 2010.

 

[Junaids]

thankfully, despite the horrific management of the pcb and their desperately vacuous intelligent, they still have the wherewithal to know that to extrapolate one inning's performance in a game where he wasnt even the best bowler in the innings or the match, is nothing short of stupid. he was outperformed by a complete nobody.

one day doesnt constitute 'knocking down the door' in any context anywhere in a sensible world. if he can take this form forwards and demonstrate it in a season, then that makes a case. we have seen what this foolish strategy of unsubstantiated wishful thinking has resulted with amir. he's not ready either, and is mediocre at present.

He dismissed 3 of the Top Four batsmen. Waqas Maqsood got the tail.

I'm not sure what more Asif has to do than average 20 with a strike rate of 45 and an economy rate of 2.

Could you please state what he has done wrong in his return? What target is he supposed to be achieving?

Or are you seeking to convert a 5 year suspension into a 7 year suspension by stealth?

 

[endymion248]

Junaids spent months posting about how every bowler needs to improve their batting or they are not selectable. And yet here he is advocating for a guy who is a complete mug with the bat (Asif) over someone who is competent with it (Sohail Khan). I thought there was no more place for specialist bowlers in Junaids' philosophy?

 

[MMHS]

He doesn't need to do much to be honest - his skills are still outstanding, I saw the clippings of recent FC match. However, if I were the CS, I would have asked him to prove 3 things (with reasons) -

1. Prove that he can still clock average of 128KM with effort ball at least reaching 134KM. This is simply because, AUS top 5 at their home are a bit better than the batsmen so far he has bowled against Islamabad & Peshawar Regional teams. I am a bit concern about the quality of QA Regional teams, which is basically the teams of Corporate rejects, therefore performance against Regional teams hunts me with a pinch of salt. Besides, half of his wickets are from bottom 5, of those regional teams, whose even top 5 are a bit dodgy, when it comes to judge which is off side & which is leg side (then comes off stick & leg stick guard). At 125km effort ball & 120KM swing/seem average speed, he can do wonders against Peshawar & Islamabad, that too on typical under prepared & green PAK domestic wickets - but, no matter how green it's in AUS, it'll take a bit more pace to confuse Aussie top order with skill - then make them struggle with time.

2. So far, he has bowled in 4 FC innings with innings duration of 55, 80, 93 & 59 overs; with maximum work load in a day of 71 overs (one can check - that 93 overs innings was played over 2 days) & shared by 5 bowlers. Now, someone with so much "taste" & "thirst", I would like to see his authenticated fitness report before taking him to AUS, where he is likely to bowl 23-25 overs/day on a hard, fast wicket & at least 80 metres boundary (silly maths, but, if a bowler has to bowl 23 overs/day & needs to come from fine leg/long leg after every over, this is a silly concern).

3. Asif was a bot fielder, even when he was full fit & roaring. Now, after 6 years, I'll like to see his fielding. BECAUSE, he is a bowler - Misbah will need to keep him in field for entire day, if he is to call him for bowling whenever is required. It's not like bat for a session & then rest a session.

I never pick my specialist bowlers on batting merit - I'll pick Mac, Murali, Waquar, Walshi & MacGill for my 7, 8, 9, 10 & Jack - if they are at their bowling pomp ; so, Asif's batting is not my concern; however, here we are ready to pick Nawaz over Yasir, for that 10 extra runs, hence Asif's batting should also be a concern!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[shaz619]

I'm a huge fan of Asif the bowler, but lets get real. He's not going to get greentops in Australia this time around. And with his pace, he'd probably struggle big time. You can't expect someone to comeback after 6 years and start dominating the likes of Smith and Warner, and that too in Australia, which is probably the toughest place in the world for touring teams.

Wahab is going to be our best pacer in Australia, followed by Amir.

Even then he wouldn't be a downgrade from Sohail or Rahat Ali and despite his record in AUS the last time he was there the skill he has can't be denied and we've seen him thrive on motorways, even Kohli would call in sick a night before on such a wicket

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION] his height will also favour the pitches in AUS which generate more bounce then usual

 

[shaz619]

You can't pick someone on the basis of 4 wickets, even if it's Mohammad Asif.

Amir was picked after performing for 3-4 months and after tearing up the domestic FC scene by averaging sub 20, when Asif replicates even half of that you can stake a claim for his selection but not now when he hasn't proved anything.

Also, the PCB have clearly shown they don't want him in the national team ever again, so even if he performs I don't think he will get selected.

Amir got 16 wickets in the 4 FC games he played, Asif needs 4 more wickets then

 

[abc_to_xyz]

Let him perform in couple of more games, its too early. I hope he'll get few before the selection of squad.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Day 2 Home Ground (Sialkot)

9:30 am start & grace ball.


Sohaib, Yasim, Akbar & Hammad await Asif.


Fingers Crossed.

 

[godzilla]

He dismissed 3 of the Top Four batsmen. Waqas Maqsood got the tail.

I'm not sure what more Asif has to do than average 20 with a strike rate of 45 and an economy rate of 2.

Could you please state what he has done wrong in his return? What target is he supposed to be achieving?

Or are you seeking to convert a 5 year suspension into a 7 year suspension by stealth?

IT WAS ONE INNINGS. im afraid if you cant understand why a person should not be played in an international first xi after one inning's performance, there is nowhere this discussion can go. if you dont understand statistics, and the concept of a sample size, you would be best advised to stop trying to quote them.

in terms of fc career, he averages 24, not 20. and i dont see you writing constantly and unendingly on sadaf hussein who averages 18 with a strike rate of 37 at a better economy rate too, is seven years younger, and has taken almost 300 wickets versus asifs 369 wickets - so the stats are large enough to be comparable.

even if one were to foolishly indulge in a hyper analysis of two games - hes played twp fc games in years. in the first he did nothing of note, two wickets in each innings - the first was of two tail enders, the second of two mighty top order players who average about 35 and who no one has ever heard of. in the second one which for some reason you feel the whole selection policy globally should be reversed for just the second innings mind, he took a solitary wicket in the first innings where waqas maqsood (no one has heard of) took 4, and in the monumental second innings in which he took three top order wickets which you mention, you fail to disclose that once again, no one has heard of any of them - one of them is 20 years old and has played 4 first class games, and the other two average 31 and 25. you fail to mention too that in the same innings, waqas took four wickets for fewer runs - and they weren't all the tail, they included the number 3 and 5.

this is a performance which means nothing at all even as a stand alone. had he taken the top five in both innings, it still wouldnt have meant anything unless it is replicated in some way through the season and against a range of players rather than b-grade novices.

none of this has anything to do with the fact that he is a criminal and a national traitor, and has nothing to do with bias. it has everything to do with logic and common sense which your posts on the matter, which are littered throughout the boards with unrelenting and nauseating frequency, seem to be entirely devoid of.

 

[Slog]

Junaids spent months posting about how every bowler needs to improve their batting or they are not selectable. And yet here he is advocating for a guy who is a complete mug with the bat (Asif) over someone who is competent with it (Sohail Khan). I thought there was no more place for specialist bowlers in Junaids' philosophy?

That's not how our friend functions.

You're not allowed to hold posts he made more than a week ago against him or judge him by those.

Let's see what stance he flip flops on next

 

[Slog]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] what's your opinion on Salman Butt now considering he has continued to flop in domestics?

Should he be recalled?

 

[Suleiman]

If Hazlewood can be successful on Aussie pitches, don't see why Asif can't, IF he continues to perform in domestics.

 

[adil_909]

It doesn't matter if he bowls out 30 batsmen in a row. After how he betrayed the nation, AND how he acted afterwards lying and lying and lying, there is no room for him in the team. Let him play domestic until he retires so he can feed his family, that's about it.

 

[Red Devil]

Even then he wouldn't be a downgrade from Sohail or Rahat Ali and despite his record in AUS the last time he was there the skill he has can't be denied and we've seen him thrive on motorways, even Kohli would call in sick a night before on such a wicket

I see where you're coming from, and if the Gabba really is a greentop, I'd be tempted to play him. Though, I'm still not sure if he'd do well on those flat Aussie pitches with his pace and lack of match fitness etc. But let's see how he goes in the next few domestic games, we'll get a clearer picture of where he stands.

 

[zulfiqar]

I saw his four wickets, but can you please post a more compelling argument? I'd like to see his stats from this current domestic season.

Also, the truth is that if the pitches help fast bowlers, Rahat & Wahab will be a handful!

 

[Square Drive]

I'd put him in for Australia.

 

[coy0607]

what more must Mohammad Asif do?

How about perform in more than just 1 game

He's literally had 1 good game (not even a great game) and people here are acting like he's Wasim Akram who's being unjustly punished by the PCB

 

[Ellipsism]

There's a difference.

Asif has already shown he can transfer his performances on the biggest level.

The same way you would pick Graeme Thorpe (45 FC avg) over Mark Ramprakash (53+ FC avg). One was a proven performer in tests and the other ended with a test average of 27.

And you're really going to throw a rookie into the lion's den in Australia?

Asif "showed he can transfer his performances on the biggest level" six years ago.

Provide me with conclusive evidence that suggests that Asif still has it in him to take wickets at the highest level.

 

[Ami]

Stay away mate ...
I can remember at least half a dozen incidents where you were caught short of the required standards for an international cricketer...topping it all in 2010.

 

[shaz619]

I see where you're coming from, and if the Gabba really is a greentop, I'd be tempted to play him. Though, I'm still not sure if he'd do well on those flat Aussie pitches with his pace and lack of match fitness etc. But let's see how he goes in the next few domestic games, we'll get a clearer picture of where he stands.

He never relied on pace but skill and with his match fitness we could use him in bursts, Asif can cause most damage in his first and second spell anyway. But yeah he needs to bowl a bit more to ensure his rhythm before he returns to the team and like I said, would he really be a bad replacement for Sohail or Rahat, Sohail's fitness isn't the greatest and he is usually done after 1 spell, at least with Asif we'd have someone who'd be able to rattle the top order with his superior skill set in a way which Sohail can't. And Rahat is a spray gun.

 

[Junaids]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] what's your opinion on Salman Butt now considering he has continued to flop in domestics?

Should he be recalled?

Not at this stage, no.

His First Class performances don't justify it yet.

 

[salih]

Asif has an excellent FC and test record and will fit right into the Misbah style of captaincy. He contains the runs, builds pressure and picks up wickets in clusters. He performed well in NZ in 2009 I believe, and got a 6fa in Sydney 2010. But speaking of his current form, despite his recent 4 wicket haul, as much as I like him and want him in the team (with immediate effect), I'm not entirely sure that the selectors would be justified in picking him until he notches up more noteworthy performances. He probably needs to consistently pick up 3 wickets an innings until the test squads for NZ are announced if he is to be selected.

 

[Someguy]

We dont need a drug attic and sell out of his country in the team

 

[Ellipsism]

Not at this stage, no.

His First Class performances don't justify it yet.

And Asif's has?

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Asif has a side strain so he was not bowling at full throttle today.

He was doing more of a holding job at medium pace.

 

[godzilla]

And Asif's has?

it wont be a difficult task to search the mountain of posts by him making allegations of impropriety, moral and virtually legal for not including butt immediately into the side for a performance in a couple of matches seven or so years ago, whilst ignoring all his other performances.

anyone paying any attention doesnt really have anyone else to blame; theres no attempt to disguise the flip flopping absolute lack of any form of logic whatsoever.

at the most this behaviour qualifies him as being a model pakistan cricket fan i suppose.

 

[shaz619]

Asif has a side strain so he was not bowling at full throttle today.

He was doing more of a holding job at medium pace.

Gave only 12 runs in 10 overs! economy of 1.20!

I expect niggles like that to show up every now and then but the more he bowls his match fitness will improve

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Gave only 12 runs in 10 overs! economy of 1.20!

I expect niggles like that to show up every now and then but the more he bowls his match fitness will improve

I was happy he was playing this match but he should not have played this match as he was not fit.


No you should not play when you have side strain. Your injury can worsen if you play. This is why any pacer who experiences side strain is rested.

 

[iniqbal223]

Stay away mate ...
I can remember at least half a dozen incidents where you were caught short of the required standards for an international cricketer...topping it all in 2010.

He was the only guy who could have won 2011 world cup for Pak. The man who toyed with the best Indian batting line-up. Yes, he did wrong, and he paid for it.
And btw, how many right arm bowlers took their chances when he was away for 6 years?? None.

This guy is a special talent and should come back asap.
I was reading one article on cricinfo, and he is the best impact bowler.
If he can uproot the best batsman, imagine what he can do now.
And he is not a T20 material. Good for him he was not picked up in PSL.
He should be back for Australian series, where the fitness of Sohail Khan will fail while playing in big grounds.

 

[Justcrazy]

How have so many forgiven him and butt for their actions? The two should never play international cricket for pakistan again. They can play domestic all they want to earn money for their families, but they both shamed us internationally, and denied it over and over and over again until there was no where to go. Their behavior both during and after the scandal disqualifies them from the national team in my opinion. It doesn't matter to me if Asif is in the form of his life, or if our team is worse off with out him. There are things more important than winning and losing cricket matches, and I never want to see Asif wearing the Pakistan jersey again.

If Aamir can play , then Asif should be allowed to play . Question is can he perform at International level.

 

[adil_909]

If Aamir can play , then Asif should be allowed to play . Question is can he perform at International level.

No, Amir admitted his mistake straight away. Butt and Asif lied to the country and the international cricket community for years! And it's not like the guy was clean before this happened. Think about the fight with Shoaib, getting caught with illicit substances in the UAE, failing urine drug tests, the list goes on and on. You cannot compare Amir's situation with Asif WHATSOEVER! Him being allowed to play for Pakistan again would a huge slap in the face to the rest of team, and all the youngsters working hard to fight for a spot.

 

[joly]

If it was up to me I'd buy his ticket to Australia right now. Just imagine this : Amir and Asif with the new ball. Wahab and Yasir first change (Both will be very good in Australia). Plus one all rounder. That is a hell of an attack for Australian conditions. Now replace Asif with Sohail Khan. The whole look completely changes

there is nothing left to imagine now,asif was a v good bowler,amir was always overhyped and now he is in the category of Nuwan Joysa,forget about him

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

UBL are chasing 326 for Victory and they are 118/3 at the moment with Sohaib at the crease with 52*

Even with a side strain Asif has been the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2-48.

 

[PakLFC]

It is over for Asif like it is for Kaneria. What he can do now is get an education otherwise he does not have many options to fall back on. He has just made to many mistakes in his career, the patience of the PCB has ran out. We need to look at the future now instead of a bowler in his mid 30's.

 

[Veteran]

Don't want to see Asif anywhere near the team. He was a fine bowler but unfortunately lacking in character. I feel sorry for those of you who are clamoring for his inclusion. Let us have some self-respect. Winning isn't everything and it is wishful thinking to suppose he will be a major factor in upcoming series. Hope these pathetic pleas for his selection will stop.