Mohammad Asif vying for a return to international cricket

Pakistan cricket is an enigma. They produce some of the most exciting talents on some days and come out with some of the biggest controversies on the other days. When the Pakistan cricket spot-fixing scandal of 2010 erupted, it took in its wake three of its most thriving talents – Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.

All three were meted out five-year bans and while Amir has already made a triumphant return to international cricket after serving his sentence, the other two are still striving for the same. Out of the two, it is Mohammad Asif these days, who looks most likely to make a remarkable return. The tall and lanky fast bowler, who really knew how to make the ball talk, is in real good form these past few weeks and a continued showing may well pave his back to his international team.

Striving hard for a return

These past five years must have been really difficult for Asif. He was at the peak of his career when he was banned for bowling deliberate no-balls on that infamous 2010 tour to England. While Amir, who was just 17 at that time, found a lot of sympathy, the same was not the case for Asif.

He had already tested positive for steroids twice prior to that incident and was also caught carrying drugs once. People in his own country, hence, were not ready to forgive him and wanted him gone from the sport for good.

But then, who are we to judge whether he deserves a comeback or not? Asif admitted to his wrongdoing, served his 5-year ban and is now striving hard to make a return. He cannot be stopped from playing the game now.

Thankfully, Asif is presently doing what’s best for him – just letting his ball do the talking. Fresh from playing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy – Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament – Asif has displayed traces of his old self and is bowling brilliantly. In the five matches he played in the tourney, Asif snared 19 wickets at an average of 18.63. What’s even more interesting is that he has also bowled a whopping 52 maidens in the championship.

He couldn’t have given a better display to the Pakistani selectors. He has been leading the attack from the front and winning matches for his team. While at 33 years, Asif isn’t the fittest around, but his bowling still appears to have a lot of venom. And Pakistan cricket would remember what a dangerous proposition Asif was when at his prime.

Now it may be difficult to ascertain if the bowler is actually back to his best, but his run-up, his follow through and his swagger certainly give off a feeling that he is getting there. He is not bowling at a great pace; but pace wasn’t Asif’s greatest virtue ever, he always relied on swing and seam and was an expert in plotting the demise of the batsmen.

Can a master like this, who can be such a boon for Pakistan cricket, be ignored?

Is a comeback feasible?

Given his past misconducts, it will not be easy for Mohammad Asif to make a return. But if he indeed does, it will undoubtedly be one of the most incredible ones ever in recent cricket history. And although Pakistan is never short of good fast bowlers, they would still do very well to have someone like Asif in the team. His mastery over swing and seam would blend in well with the raw pace of the others and would be absolute gold in places like England where the Champions Trophy is to be held in the summer of 2017.

For now, Asif is quietly going about his business; sticking to the basics, applying himself with all he has and producing great results with the ball. If he keeps doing so, the selectors may be forced to take a call on him. Now whether the international cricket community, his fans and his teammates welcome him or shun him will be a story for another day.

There is no denying, however, that cricket has been rendered poorer without the services of Mohammad Asif. The sight of the gangling Pakistani fast bowler running down the pitch in a smooth, fluid motion, with a certain nonchalant swagger, and making life difficult for batsmen with his great swing, was something to behold. That sight has been missed. And who knows, it may make a reappearance one of these days.