Yasir Ali was regarded as one of the brightest young fast bowling prospects in Pakistan. A promising start to his domestic career in Grade II cricket meant that he made his test debut at the age of 18 in 2003 at Multan in the tense one wicket victory for Pakistan over Bangladesh. This test match was of course his debut in first class cricket.

Yasir took 2 wickets on debut and managed to survive 4 crucial deliveries as Inzamam's memorable 138 not out led Pakistan to victory. It was meant to be the start of a promising international career, but sadly for Yasir and his fans, he has not been selected for any further senior international matches to date.

I caught up with Yasir and spent a couple of days with him to find out where it's all gone wrong, what he's up to now and amongst other things what went on when Rashid Latif took the catch that ultimately cost him his international career.

PakPassion.Net: When you came out to bat in the Multan Test, what did Inzamam say to you?

Yasir Ali: I was naturally very nervous given the match situation and also given that it was my test debut. However it was heartening to see Inzi bhai still there. He didnt say too much to me, he gave me some encouragement and told me to play straight. He didnt try and confuse me and "overcoach" me. I was appreciative of the fact that he didnt stand there and lecture me with too much confusing information and advice.

PakPassion.Net: How many deliveries did you face and what happened during those deliveries?

Yasir Ali: I faced 4 deliveries. The bowler was Khaled Mahmud, the Bangladeshi medium pacer. The first delivery resulted in a big leg before shout that was going down leg side, the second and third deliveries were wide enough for me to leave. The 4th delivery I scored a single and the very next delivery Inzi hit a four to seal victory.


PakPassion.Net: What was it like in the dressing room after the end of that match?

Yasir Ali: It was a relieved dressing room rather than a jubilant one. We knew that it had been a very tight match and one that we could have lost especially trailing by over 100 runs in the first innings. At 132 for 6 we were in a lot of trouble in the second innings needing another 130 runs for victory. Whilst Saqlain, Umar Gul and Shabbir Ahmed stuck around, we were of course indebted to Inzamam who led us to victory.


PakPassion.Net: What are your other memories of that match?

Yasir Ali: The atmosphere between the 2 teams was very cordial and friendly. I remember that the Bangladesh players and Pakistani players were watching tv dramas etc at the hotel together. It will always be a memorable occasion for me as there is nothing better for a professional sportsman than to represent his/her country. Of course there was the Rashid Latif incident too (discussed later in the interview).


PakPassion.Net: You are still young and could have a chance to play for Pakistan again, what has affected you from being on the international scene since your last game for Pakistan??

Yasir Ali: Well its been a bit of a roller coaster ride for me. The highs have been scoring my maiden first class century and having a good last season in domestic cricket. The downs have been not playing regularly at domestic level.


PakPassion.Net: Tell us a bit more about the century?

Yasir Ali: It was against Abbottabad and I scored 129 and batted all day with Usman Saeed as we racked up 601. My previous highest score was 63 before that.


PakPassion.Net: Why have you not played regularly at domestic level, is it down to injurues?

Yasir Ali: No its not been down to serious injuries at all. The most serious injury I have had was down to a motorcycle accident. I was on the way to the mosque and my motorcycle crashed. I landed on the floor face first and was lucky that I did not incur too many injuries other than some facial injuries etc. Thanks to Allah I escaped with cuts and bruises, but I had to take some time out of cricket because of the motorcycle crash. I to this day believe that I survived that day because I was on the way to a mosque.

I also had a hairline fracture of my ankle which was a frustrating injury and meant I had to miss several matches. After these injuries I couldnt get a place in the PTCL team due to one reason or another.


PakPassion.Net: What do you mean by one reason or another?

Yasir Ali: Well selection issues at domestic level are a little strange. Sometimes you are named in the starting XI and then a last minute call means that you are then given 12th man duties and someone else is named in the starting XI. Its very frustrating to say the least and sad for Pakistani cricket.


PakPassion.Net: What happened to the PTCL team?

Yasir Ali: The department closed due to financial reasons and it was too late in the 2006/07 season to transfer to another team.


PakPassion.Net: How is it like playing overseas compared to Pakistan, do you think you have improved your bowling more in terms of the pitches compared to flat tracks in Pakistan??

Yasir Ali: Playing in the UK leagues you have to bowl a different length to the normal first class length that is required in Pakistan. The pitches in the UK offer more swing and seam and you have to bowl a yard or so fuller in these conditions to make best use of them.


PakPassion.Net: Yasir, who is the best captain you have played under and what made that individual so good?

Yasir Ali: Hasan Raza. He was my skipper when I toured South Africa with the Pakistan academy team. He was a very encouraging and supporting skipper. He seemed to understand his colleagues very well and all the characters of each of the players.


PakPassion.Net: Who was the coach on that tour and how did you like South Africa?

Yasir Ali: It was Naved Anjum who did a very good job with the boys. I really like South Africa. We were in Jo'burg a lot of the time and we also went to Sun City which was fantastic.


PakPassion.Net: Who is the fastest bowler you have ever faced ?

Yasir Ali: I've never faced Akhtar in a match situation but have faced him in the nets at various camps, but he wasnt bowling full speed. In domestic cricket I would say probably Abdur Rauf or Mohammed Irshad, who were both very sharp.


PakPassion.Net: What happened to Irshad, he was regarded as a big hope in Pakistani cricket?

Yasir Ali: Yes he was a very good bowler and still isnt bad, but he seems to have put on quite a bit of weight and lost that yard of pace that is needed at the top level. He's a handy performer at domestic level these days still though.


PakPassion.Net: Who is the best batsman you have ever bowled to and what made him so special?

Yasir Ali: I would say Younis Khan and Yasir Hameed. With Younis he picks up the length of the delivery so quickly and is in position to play the ball. He seems to have so much time to play his shots. With Yasir he is a very fluent strokemaker who has all the shots.


PakPassion.Net: I'm surprised you have gone for Yasir Hameed?

Yasir Ali: You know, he is a very good player, but he just seems to not have that mental edge needed at international level. He gets in and then gets himself out, but he is such a talent.


PakPassion.Net: What is the fastest you have clocked on a speed gun?

Yasir Ali: I was clocked at just over 90mph by Aqib Javed at the Lahore Academy in 2003.


PakPassion.Net: What do you think your fastest speed would have been?

Yasir Ali: Fast bowling is all about rhythm in my opinion. Some days everything clicks into place and you feel great. Other days things just dont seem right. These days I feel I am back bowling in great rhythm. I'm swinging the ball, the seam position is good and I think I am bowling at high 80s miles per hour.


PakPassion.Net: What is the most hostile spell you have bowled? Tell us about it.

Yasir Ali: It was when the South African academy team toured Pakistan in 2006. I took 10 wickets in one of the matches including a hattrick. That team included the likes of Jimmy Duminy etc. Also in 2004 I took 8 wickets in a match against Allied Bank on a pretty flat track. We made Allied Bank follow on and we won the match.


PakPassion.Net: Any fast bowling prospects you have seen recently? Tell us about them and speed you think they bowl at.

Yasir Ali: At the moment I dont think there are any 90mph plus bowlers in Pakistan domestic cricket. Rauf and Sohail Khan can bowl quick but even they are not regular 90mph bowlers in my opinion. Its difficult to say why we are not producing out and out pacemen.


PakPassion.Net: What about Mohammed Amer, the lad that Wasim Akram is raving about?

Yasir Ali: Aamer opened the bowling with me for Rawalpindi in the ABN Amro Cup. He is not express pace. He's a skiddy left arm bowler, but certainly not 90 mph. He relies more on swinging the old ball which is his strength.


PakPassion.Net: Tell us about your favourite injuries that you've caused to batsmen.

Yasir Ali: I bowled an inswinging yorker to Asim Kamal in 2006 that hit him flush on the toe. He had to retire hurt.


PakPassion.Net: Is it true you developed stress fractures? Has your action changed and what speed do you bowl now?

Yasir Ali: I havent been measured on the speed gun lately, but I think I am bowling in the high 80s at the moment. As I said before the rhythm is good, I'm comfortable with my action and runup and a few tweaks to my action seem to have helped me. As mentioned previously I obtained a stress fracture of my ankle which was a niggling and frustrating injury. Injuries are part and parcel of the game but they can be very frustrating.


PakPassion.Net: Tell us about the changes to your action?

Yasir Ali: Aqib Javed did some work with me at the academy. He thought I needed to do more with my left arm before I delivered the ball. Previously my left arm was very low and I didnt use it to gain more rotation. Now my left arm is a lot higher as I deliver the ball. I feel that it has given me better rhythm as I deliver the ball.


PakPassion.Net: What's it like to bowl to Shahid Afridi in the nets?

Yasir Ali: (chuckles). I've bowled to Shahid bhai many times at training camps. He certainly doesnt hold back in the nets. I was once bowling to him in the nets and we were having some banter, he reckoned he had hit me for a six and I reckoned he would have been caught on the boundary.


PakPassion.Net: On a more serious note what are your thoughts on Afridi the cricketer?

Yasir Ali: There isn't a more committed cricketer than Shahid Afridi in Pakistani colours. He plays with pride and gives 100% at all times.


PakPassion.Net: Who is faster, Zahid or Akhtar?

Yasir Ali: I havent faced either in a match situation, but have spoken to Akhtar about Zahid and even Akhtar admits that Zahid was the quicker bowler at his peak.


PakPassion.Net: Who in your view is the fastest bowler ever?

Yasir Ali: Perhaps Brett Lee or Shoaib Akhtar.


PakPassion.Net: How do you feel that the your second test wicket was of a catch which was never even taken cleanly?

Yasir Ali: Rashid after taking the catch admitted that he thought the ball may have been grounded. I suggested calling Rajin Saleh back, but it all happened so quickly and the batsman never challenged the decision and before we knew it he was back in the pavilion after the umpires had given him out. Of course Rashid was banned for 4 matches after this and then Inzi bhai became skipper and the rest as they say is history.


PakPassion.Net: What are you doing nowadays, are you playing league cricket in the UK this season ?

Yasir Ali: I'm in the UK playing League cricket in the Merseyside League for a team called Ainsdale.


PakPassion.Net: Isn't that the team that Muhammed Asif played for a few years ago?

Yasir Ali: Yes it is. Asif played there a few years ago. I'm actually staying with the same family that Asif stopped with.


PakPassion.Net: How is your season going so far with Ainsdale? I saw you against Rainford and you seemed to be enjoying yourself?

Yasir Ali: Its been an interesting challenge. League cricket gives me the opportunity to keep my fitness levels up, get the experience of playing in English conditions too.


PakPassion.Net: This isnt the first time you have played League cricket in the UK is it?

Yasir Ali: I played for Benwell Hill in 2006 up in Newcastle, the team that Shahid Nazir played for quite a few seasons. They wanted me back for last season but I couldnt qualify for a work permit as I hadnt played the required number of matches at domestic level the previous season.


PakPassion.Net: Whats your main strength as bowler? Is it pace, seam movement or swing?

Yasir Ali: My main strength has always been my pace. However you cant rely on pace alone. Also on Pakistani pitches you have to be able to swing the ball which is something I am capable of.


PakPassion.Net: Do you think bowlers like you and Rauf have been treated fairly by the selectors?

Yasir Ali: My main gripe is what I mentioned before, in that there are times when I have not been selected in domestic matches when I believe I should have been selected. Last minute changes to the team are a regular occurrence due to outside influence. This happened to me regularly iin season 2006/07.


PakPassion.Net: I regard you as one of the Best Young Prospects in terms of Pace, Swing, Control etc., do you think you will be getting a chance in the Pak team again?

Yasir Ali: My first aim is to start to regularly play at domestic level like I did last season in the ABN Amro Cup and other domestic competitions. Once I start performing again at domestic level, then I can come under the radar of the selectors again. I was on the verge of selection for the last 3 ODIs versus Bangladesh and inshallah if I keep performing then my chance will come.


PakPassion.Net: What have you learned (in terms of bowling skill etc.) since making your debut in 2003-04 and do you think you are a much improved/faster/better bowler than before?

Yasir Ali: You never stop learning in cricket. I feel that I am much stronger now due to intensive gym work. I feel I am improving on aspects of my bowling that I need to improve. I've been working a lot with Aqib Javed and Sabih Azhar who is my coach at Pindi and of course some work with Wasim Akram.


PakPassion.Net: Did Bob Woolmer ever see you bowl?

Yasir Ali: Yes he saw me at a couple of training camps. I specifically remember before the team was announced to go to Australia, he was talking quite a bit to me. He wanted to see me bowl the outswinger in the nets and my wrist position when I bowled that delivery. He watched very closely and suggested a few things to me. I was very close to being selected for that tour but some fitness concerns in Bob's mind meant that Asif was chosen for that tour instead. Bob was a lovely man, a real gentleman who talked to the players as if they were his own sons.


PakPassion.Net: What has Wasim worked on with you?

Yasir Ali: Well Wasim is more of a watcher rather than someone who talks a lot. He watches you bowling very closely and then picks up on little things that you need to work on. Those subtle changes can sometimes make all the difference.


PakPassion.Net: Who else has impressed you in the domestic circuit (who is yet to play for Pakistan), whether a batsman, bowler, or spinner?

Yasir Ali: Umar Amin, a very talented batsman, Ahmed Shehzad who is also a very talented batsman, Mohammed Amer, the young left arm medium fast bowler and Usman Qadir, the leg spinner who is of course the son of Abdul Qadir.


PakPassion.Net: Can you tell us how you how got into cricket? Who was your idol growing up?

Yasir Ali: I became interested in cricket after watching the 99 World Cup. I started playing at district level and then at Under 19 level. My idols were Wasim Akram and Inzamam ul Haq.


PakPassion.Net: You grew up in Hazro, a relative unknown part of Pakistan; what is the standard of cricket there since i was born in the same area? If I remember correctly, you are the only player from Attock to have played for Pakistan? Do you still live there?

Yasir Ali: There are some very good cricketers from that area but sadly the facilities are not that great. The wickets are cement tracks rather than turf. I played a lot of tape ball cricket in Hazro which improved my game. Yes I still live there, my family also live there.


PakPassion.Net: How does tape ball cricket affect one's bowling?

Yasir Ali: I played a lot of tape ball cricket
in my junior cricketing days. I played alongside the likes of Khalil and Sohail Tanvir. The light was pretty bad during the tape ball games and it certainly tested your reflexes whilst batting and fielding.


PakPassion.Net: Yasir I am aware that you are Hafiz-e-Quran. Are there any other first class cricketers that you know are also Hafiz-e-Quran?

Yasir Ali: I'm not certain but I have heard that Bilal Asad and Sarfraz Ahmed are.


PakPassion.Net: Yasir, what are your views on the following players:
Yasir Shah, Dilawar Khan, Tariq Mahmood, Adil Raza and Mohammed Aamer?

Yasir Ali: Yasir Shah is a good all round cricketer. A decent leg spin bowler and a good batsman and fielder. He is in his mid 20s I think and he and I played together for Pakistan under 19s.

Dilawar Khan is is a talented right handed batsman, someone who likes to go for his shots.

Tariq Mahmood. Oh yes Murali. He has had problems with his action. He's been working with Aqib on his action and is a good friend of mine. He has vowed to me that he will make a grand comeback to first class cricket.

Adil Raza is a medium fast bowler. He has impressed a lot of people in domestic cricket and had a good match against KRL last season. He has a very good action and has played for Pakistan under 19s.

Mohammed Amer as mentioned earlier is a skiddy medium fast left armer. He can certainly swing the ball especially the old ball and has the ability to seam the ball too. He is not express pace, I would say mid 80s.


PakPassion.Net: Yasir lets talk about the Academies in Pakistan, as you have spent a lot of time at the academies?

Yasir Ali: (smiles) I feel as though I know every corner and recognise every brick at the Lahore academy. The academies were a fantastic idea and Tauqir Zia deserves great praise for that idea. They provide excellent facilities for the players, great practice pitches, fitness areas, gym, rooms, relaxation areas etc. All in all the players at the academies have everything at their fingertips including good coaching, medical facilities and physios too.


PakPassion.Net: Have you had any offers to join the ICL or IPL?

Yasir Ali: Yes I received an offer from the ICL, but at this moment in time I do not want to join the ICL and possibly spoil my chances of playing again for Pakistan.


PakPassion.Net: Do you know Asad Ali, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Aamer? If you know any of them, can you tell us what do you think of there bowling?

Yasir Ali: Asad Ali is medium fast attacking bowler. He is right arm and I would call him a wicket taking bowler.

Sohail Khan is a very good bowler. A couple of areas that he perhaps needs to work on are his ability to swing the ball and his fielding. He has very good stamina and can bowl some long spells.

Wahab Riaz is a much improved bowler. He came to the attention of the selectors after a very impressive domestic performance recently.

I'm not sure about Mohammed Ali - sorry.

As for Mohammed Aamer I have spoken about him earliler in the interview.


PakPassion.Net: Do you know Azher Ali, if yes, how is his technique?

Yasir Ali: Azher plays for KRL, the team that I will be playing for in the forthcoming season having recently signed for them. Azher used to be a spinner who batted a little, but these days he's a good, solid opening batsman who bowls a bit. Azher had a very good season last season.


PakPassion.Net: Yasir you mention that you have moved to KRL. What brought that about ?

Yasir Ali: Well I am very good freinds with Yasir Arafat and Sohail Tanvir who are fellow Pindi boys. Arafat suggested that I move to KRL and after some thought I have gone for it. It will be interesting and challenging because KRL have a very strong bowling lineup in Tanvir, Arafat, Akhtar, Saaed Ajmal, Akhtar Ayub and others.


PakPassion.Net: What do you think of Mohammad Asif? Do you see him going far in ODI cricket?

Yasir Ali: Asif is a tremendous talent. A very fine bowler who has the skills required for both versions of the game. I hope that he gets over all the problems and gets back to playing cricket. I'm sure he'll be back and better for all these recent problems.


PakPassion.Net: Why type of cricket do you play, I mean to say, defensive or attacking?

Yasir Ali: (big smile) I only know one type of cricket and that is attacking. Whether I am batting or bowling I want to attack. However as difficult as it is sometimes, you have to play according to the match situation of course.


PakPassion.Net: Would you in future like to lead the taraweeh prayers?

Yasir Ali: Of course I would, it would be an honour. Shortly after Yousuf Youhana became Mohammed Yousuf, a number of us were at the Qadaffi stadium. We were going to pray Namaaz and it was one of the first times that Yousuf was going to pray Namaaz, Inzi bhai insisted that I lead the prayer which was a great honour for me of course.


PakPassion.Net: Tell us who has helped you thoughout your career, especially during the difficult times of non selection at domestic level and when you have been injured?

Yasir Ali: Sohail Tanvir and Yasir Arafat are good friends of mine. We meet up whenever possible. Salman Butt is always a nice guy to talk to when we are at the training camps. Rameez Raja has helped me in my career especially bringing me to the attention of the selectors etc. He once insisted to the selectors that I be given a chance in the training camp that was being held. Aamir Sohail and Noddy bhai are always encouraging me and offering me help whenever possible and of course as mentioned before coaches such as Sabih and Aqib too.


PakPassion.Net: Tell PakPassion members about what your interests are away from cricket?

Yasir Ali: I enjoy watching films - Indian, Pakistani and English. (Yasir looked through my huge DVD collection and confirmed that he had seen most of them). I enjoy listening to music too - I really like listening to Atif Aslam at the moment. Of course religion plays a big part in my life and I like listening to Naats too.

I also enjoy weight training as this of course is vital to my fitness and strength levels. These days with no cricket during the week I spend between 2 and 3 hours at the gym daily. I'm also a decent cook as fellow cricketer Jan Nisar Khan will confirm.


PakPassion.Net: Are any members of your family over in the UK with you at the moment?

Yasir Ali: No, but if I do get married later this year and if I am offered a club contract next season I intend to bring my wife over to the UK with me.