Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net; Asif began by describing the trauma and difficulties of the last 12 months following his ban from all cricket.

By Saj Sadiq (September 7th, 2011)

Cricketing talent has over the decades come in different guises, some has managed to fulfil the promise it showed initially, whilst some of these geniuses have for one reason or another stopped short of fulfilling their god-given talent and only shown glimpses of the mercurial ability, before being cut short.

The reasons for some geniuses to have unfulfilled potential and leaving observers yearning for more are varied, and sometimes complicated. The simple fact that fans and experts feel short-changed when these geniuses are no longer to be seen reveals just what a gap they leave behind.

In 23 test matches, Pakistan medium fast bowler Mohammad Asif showed the world that he was a rare and special talent. Asif was a bowler who was not your run of the mill trundler who would just run up to the crease and bowl his next delivery in the hope that it may seam away, or swing into the batsman. No, Asif was a bowler whose every delivery was well thought-out, planned and generally executed to perfection.

Asif’s introduction to test cricket in 2005 at Sydney could hardly have been less inspiring. Match figures of 0 for 88 from 18 overs did not make the cricketing world sit up and take notice. In hindsight, those figures at Sydney were indeed a misinterpretation for what was about to come in future for Asif.

By the time Asif played his 23rd test match for Pakistan, he was a highly respected bowler whom opposition batsmen knew could bowl them deliveries that would simply be unplayable. Many of the world’s leading batsmen had succumbed to Asif’s artistry and had been mystified by what he had done to them with the ball. 106 wickets in those 23 test matches at an average of 24.36 were not figures that are generous to Asif. In fact if Pakistan had more polished catchers behind the wicket in those 23 test matches, then Asif’s statistics may have been more superior

Asif’s career started in the humble streets and local cricket clubs of his birthplace Sheikhupura and eventually his special cricketing talent would take him to the pinnacle of playing for his country.

Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net; Asif began by describing the trauma and difficulties of the last 12 months following his ban from all cricket.

“Mentally it’s been really tough. Cricket is my life and always will be, and for that to be taken away from me in the circumstances it was, has been terribly difficult to cope with. When you have served your country as a professional sportsman, then you don’t want that to ever be taken away from you. I’ve been practising regularly with some of my friends, but it’s heartbreaking to think that not so long ago I was playing cricket at the top tier of the game and now I’m occasionally playing nowhere near that standard.”

Asif’s 5 year ban imposed by the ICC would mean that he would be eligible to play professional cricket again at the age of 32. Whilst this may enable him to play some first class cricket upon his return from the ban, most pundits believe that a return to the international side would be unlikely. Asif though is disappointed by what has happened around him and is looking to make every effort to come back into domestic and international cricket once again.

“It’s 4 years into the future, it’s difficult to predict what can happen in those 4 years. I’ll keep on training and playing the occasional friendly game of cricket as I can’t live without cricket. I don’t know what the situation will be like in 4 years time with the Pakistan team, I guess only time will tell. Anyone who has been involved in the game of cricket finds it hard to totally move away from the sport. I want to be involved in cricket until death.”

Asif reiterated his belief that he is innocent of the spot-fixing charges and his belief that he will be cleared in next month’s trial under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 at Southwark Crown Court, London. He also bemoaned the lack of support given to him by the Pakistan Cricket Board during the spot-fixing affair last year.

“I’m hopeful that I will be cleared of everything and I can resume playing cricket again as soon as possible. Whoever committed any alleged crime, the Pakistan Cricket Board should have dealt with that individual and taken the appropriate action against that individual. Even the judges in Doha hinted that a minimum ban of 5 years was very harsh on me, especially given that there was no overwhelming evidence against me. The judges in Doha decided to enforce the 5 year ban upon me in order to keep the integrity of the game, rather than based on direct evidence against me. I was absolutely shocked when I was banned unfairly for 5 years and that is why I have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the decision.”

Asif’s introduction to first class cricket was back in 2000/01 season when he represented Sheikhupura District and he stated that his tough introduction to cricket is something that will always stay with him forever. Asif added that talent alone cannot transform you into a good bowler, as hard work and continuous studying of the game have to be taken on board too.

“It was a tough introduction to first class cricket, things were not easy and that has stayed with me forever. I would say I had natural talent, but I also learnt a lot from my coaches and peers. I was fortunate enough to be a quick learner. You can’t reach number 2 in the test bowling rankings like I did with just natural talent. You have to have other attributes than just raw talent. I can’t thank my coach and close friend Mohammad Haroon enough. Haroon identified my talent at an early stage in my career and noted that I had the ability to play at the top level. He was my club captain when I first started and was there for me during the early part of my first class career and has supported me throughout, even when I was playing international cricket. Wherever I was playing in the world, I would speak with Haroon for advice and feedback on my bowling. We’ve always had such a close relationship that he knew exactly how to improve me as a cricketer and could analyse my bowling on any given day. His experience as a coach at various levels of the game has really helped me throughout my career and he has been able to identify any issues with my bowling and address those issues."

"The jump from domestic cricket to international cricket is a jump that not every bowler can perform and for that step up you have to learn more than what you do at just domestic cricket. You have to raise your game and develop it for the demands of international cricket."

Asked whether he thought he would still have the necessary skills to perform in top level cricket when he returns Asif added "I am confident that when my ban is overturned I will be back as an even better bowler and will be in the top 10 ranked bowlers in test cricket in no time. In fact, during this period away from the game I have watched James Anderson’s bowling very closely again and again and it has been very interesting watching him bowl. When I come back to cricket even after the time away I’ll be thinking about how Anderson bowled against India and will use that for my benefit. If you think you are the finished article and don’t need to learn from others then you are wrong".

Asif added that being banned from cricket had not diminished his love for playing or watching the game and that he continues to watch all the international action available to him on television.

“I love watching test cricket. Test cricket for me is the pinnacle, the real deal. The England versus India test series was fascinating, I really enjoyed it. At the same time of course some of the Sri Lanka versus Australia test match was going on. I was flicking through both channels fascinated by the action. It was a shame that I couldn’t watch both matches simultaneously, but in the end I watched more of the England versus India match as I wanted to see Anderson bowling.”

Recently England bowler James Anderson was quoted as calling Asif a world-class bowler and the Lancastrian also added that he had learned a lot from Asif in England last year when England took on Pakistan in a 4 test series. Anderson particularly commented on how Asif hit the seam, wobbled it a bit and could swing it a bit too. Asked what he thought of Anderson's bowling, Asif commented that he too was a fan of his and that he had watched Anderson's bowling closely in the recently concluded test series against India.

“I feel that James Anderson is bowling with the similar skills and tactics that I previously used. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching him bowl and have not missed any of the England versus India test matches as I didn’t want to miss any of Anderson’s bowling spells. Only someone like myself who has bowled like Anderson, with a similar style of bowling can truly appreciate what he is doing with the cricket ball and how well he is bowling these days. Anderson has not been playing cricket against the Indians, he has been playing with their minds. He has truly out-thought and baffled the Indians with his artistry and skill. It reminded me so much of what Amir and I did at times last year to the Australian and English batsmen. If Anderson carries on bowling the way he has been recently and continues to improve then he can become a cricket legend.”

Responding to a question about whether he had shared a few fast bowling secrets last year in England during the test series Asif stated “Anderson and I spoke a few times about one or two things regarding fast bowling and it’s good to see that James has done well this year. Also Stuart Broad and I had a chat too. I know Stuart Broad from my Leicestershire days and whilst he is a different type of bowler to Anderson, we did speak about certain types of deliveries that can be used against batsmen.”

Waqar Younis’ resignation as coach of Pakistan sees the vacancy once again available. Opinions are divided on whether the job should be filled by a Pakistani coach or by an overseas applicant. Asif though feels that whoever gets the job has a tough task ahead of them.

“Whoever gets the role has a lot of work ahead of them. It seems to be a Pakistani cricketer’s trait that after the initial settling in period for a coach, some players then start throwing negative comments around about the coach to the media. Instead of giving the coach a chance to establish himself and to settle into the role, some of the ex players also start talking negatively about the coach which I feel is wrong. At least let the new coach settle into the role and let him work with the players, and then ask questions, but to start throwing comments around in the media about the coach is not necessary."

"I think if a foreign coach is brought into the role, it will take him a couple of series to settle into the role, but if results aren’t immediate then everyone gets impatient and starts pointing the finger at the coach and saying we’ve hired an expensive foreign coach but we aren’t getting immediate returns. Also, it will be the same if a Pakistani coach is brought in, if results are not immediate, then the coach will get the negative criticism and flak from all sides. There are two tough series coming up and it is going to be a very difficult period for whoever is appointed.”

Asif was highly rated as a cricketer by the late Bob Woolmer who had a fantastic rapport with most of the Pakistani cricketers and Asif remembers fondly Woolmer as a wonderful personality and man manager.

“My experience of working with Bob Woolmer will always be fantastic memories. He was a great coach, a great human being and someone who really impressed me. He knew how to talk to the boys, how to get the best out of them. His mannerisms whether we had won or lost were brilliant. He would be calm and assured irrespective of the result and would treat all of the players with the utmost respect.”

Looking ahead to post retirement from cricket, Asif feels that he would like to set up a cricket academy either in Lahore, Karachi or his home city of Sheikhupura, to give underprivileged children an opportunity to play cricket.

“I want to get my name cleared first and foremost, come back to first class and international cricket and then when my playing days are over I want to set up a cricket academy specialising in fast bowling, so that I can help youngsters learn the art of fast bowling. I’m thinking of perhaps Lahore or Karachi or even where I started my cricket Sheikhupura as the base for my academy. It is something that is dear to my heart and something that I would love to do for those children who cannot afford to buy cricket equipment or are not given the opportunity to play cricket."

"I want to help young cricketers in Pakistan as I know from personal experience how tough it is to be given an opportunity especially when you come from a humble background and don’t have links."

"Even now some of my friends who play cricket come to my house for advice on bowling. Even some of the first class cricketers come to my house and I try to help them out. I can’t go to the ground to help them out which is unfortunate, but I enjoy giving advice on bowling to these youngsters and hope that the advice I give them, helps their bowling.”

Asif concluded that whilst the last 12 months had been extremely difficult for him, he was indebted to his friends and family for their support.

“I’m grateful firstly to my wife and parents for supporting me through this very tough period in my life. Also, I was really touched by the support I had from my friends, people who I have known for a long time and it was heartening to see that none of them gave me the cold shoulder and all have been very supportive though this whole episode. All of them are hoping that this tough period will be over soon and I can resume playing cricket again in the near future.”