Hashim Amla names the toughest bowler he has ever faced

Hashim Amla has been one of the finest batsmen South Africa has ever produced. His records speak for itself and will be eyeing to bow out on a high after the upcoming World Cup at least in the ODI format. He has pummelled most of the pace bowlers during his illustrious but admits that one Pakistani fast bowler has troubled him a lot even during his prime. The bowler is none other than Mohammad Asif who has been sidelined after the spot-fixing scandal in 2010.

Asif and Mohammad Amir used to torment the opposition batsmen at that point in time and if not for the spot-fixing scandal which ruined their careers, they would’ve been second Wasim-Waqar like pair from Pakistan. Nevertheless, Amir has returned after serving the ban of five years. But Asif was never considered despite the fast bowler bowling the same way in the domestic circuit after returning to the game.

His accuracy was phenomenal

In an interview to SuperSport, Hashim Amla revealed that no bowler has troubled him more than Mohammad Asif while also praising his accuracy. Amla recalled of facing him in 2007 in Pakistan and conceded that he was struggling to pick inswingers and outswingers.

“Mohammad Asif is the best one [I faced], and [I know] he got banned for [spot] fixing but at that stage, he was the best fast bowler I’ve ever faced. He was not quick, 135kph maybe, but his accuracy was phenomenal. We played him in South Africa and even in Pakistan in 2007. [If] he landed in the first stump I didn’t know if it was nipping away or nipping in… He tested your defence really, to the maximum,” the ace Proteas batsman said.

Moreover, Amla also went on to add that some of the South African cricketers believe that Asif was the magician with the ball in hand. “Funnily enough, as the years have gone by, meeting other cricketers from home, the world over, just loosely chatting… so many of the guys feel exactly the same thing. They said Mohammad Asif was a magician of the ball in a way,” Amla added.

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