Players fixed before me, but they are working with PCB: Mohammad Asif

Mohammad Asif was one of the best bowlers who came out of Pakistan during the mid-2000s. However, his involvement in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal incident led to an early departure for him from International cricket.

He played his last international game in 2010. He did get an opportunity to play first-class cricket again but never was given a chance to play for Pakistan again.

During a recent interview with ESPN Cricinfo, he opened up and talked about his career. He was asked whether he has regrets about the way his career ended. The 37-year-old answered the question gracefully. He said that he knows his career could have ended on a better note.

“Of course. My ambition was to finish my career on a better note and I do have regrets. But that’s a different story. I think whatever happened it had to happen and that’s okay. Everyone has regrets in their life and a few want to talk about them, but I think I am fine. Everyone makes mistakes and I did too,” Asif told ESPN Cricinfo.

I’m not sitting around brooding about the past or hung up on it: Mohammad Asif

Asif pointed out that there are players who have been involved in fixing before him are working with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He also said that he didn’t get a second chance as others got. Though, the former fast-bowler said he is not hung up on the past.

“Players had been indulging in fixing before me [in 2010] and even after me. But those before me are working with PCB and there are few after me still playing. Everyone was given a second chance and there are few who never got the same treatment [as me]. PCB never tried to save me regardless of the fact that I am the kind of bowler who was highly regarded by everyone in the world. But anyway I’m not sitting around brooding about the past or hung up on it,” he added.

Asif said that it gives him immense pleasure that top batsmen like Kevin Pietersen, AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla talked highly about him. He said he feels he made it count when he played, which more important for him. Recently, Kevin Pietersen had said that Mohammad Asif was the toughest bowler he had ever faced. Amla and De Villiers have too praised him for his skills with the ball.

“What happened is history. However much I played in my career, I made it count, duniya hila ke rakh de thi (I shook up the world). That is more important for me to think about. Even today, so many years later, the best batsmen in the world still remember me and they talk about me. Just think how big the impact was that I had on the world. So this is what makes me proud – that there is a reason KP, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla talk highly about me. That is what makes me happy”, Asif said.

Asif played 23 Tests, 38 ODIs and 11 T20Is between 2005 and 2010.