Interview with Muhammad Asif
Muhammad Asif, the Pakistani medium fast bowler is as we all know currently serving a long ban. In order to stay fit and involved in cricket he is in England playing some club cricket as well as doing some training and a bit of coaching.
He was recently doing a coaching initiative for children in conjunction with the London Cricket School.
Question: You’ve been out of cricket for a while, what have you been getting up to and how have you kept yourself motivated?
Mohammad Asif : I’m in training all the time, I go to the gym everyday. Bowling 5 days a week. Just recently I was with the Pakistan side in their training camp, previous to that I was in the National Academy. But the weather conditions there have changed now a bit, and here (in United Kingdom) the weather conditions are right for bowling so I am here for training, casual cricket and practising hard in the nets.
Question: You mention you were with the Pakistan side, they are due to play the T20 World Cup, what are there chances this time?
Mohammad Asif : I’m hoping we reach the final again, and we get India again and of course this time round we manage to win. We have a strong side, just recently we beat Australia in the 20/20 format and we are due to play a domestic tournament before coming to the UK. This way we get enough practise, only thing is the conditions will be a bit different here so we’ll need to adjust quickly. But I’m hopeful we have the type of batsmen which can adapt their game, they’re definitely mature enough to adapt.
Question: Following on from that, you think the 2007 World Cup side was stronger?
Mohammad Asif : It’s all about creating a good combination and balance within the side. I wouldn’t say this side or that side was any stronger, it’s all about the combination. The quicker they can make their side click the better it will be, I’m confident they’ll be able to make the final again.
Question: Who do you consider the match winners in this Pakistan side?
Mohammad Asif : You could say any of the senior players, they can all be considered main players. Shahid Afridi has been brilliant of late. Then there is Younis Khan who is vital to the batting at one down, he was struggling a few times recently and the side subsequently collapsed. Then also we have Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal, on who there is a lot of expectation and buzz at the moment. In the bowling still plenty of match winners, Shoaib Akhtar is a senior pro, Umar Gul who is always good and in particular Shahid Afridi who is bowling really well. They are all senior pro’s and should help the sides combination and some of the younger players.
Question: At your time at the NCA or otherwise, have you seen any promising pace bowlers in the Pakistan’s ranks?
Mohammad Asif : Well we’ve seen recently two new pace debutants (referring to Sohail Khan and Mohammad Talha) in the Sri Lanka series, I guess it will take a while for themselves to get ready for another opportunity, they will need to learn quickly and show improvement.
Question: Do you think either have the capability to succeed in Test Cricket?
Mohammad Asif : It was difficult for them, true they did struggle when given a chance in Test cricket and conditions certainly weren’t to their favour. The main thing was neither could get any swing, in test cricket if you are not 150 km/h then you either have to be able to swing the ball or bowl right on the spot every ball. Partly you could say there was pressure being their first test, Sohail Khan though has been around for a year or two, perhaps he shouldn’t have let that be a problem to him. I hope they get another opportunity.
Question: So that is a yes?
Mohammad Asif : Of course they have the talent to succeed, they were picked on merit by the selectors. Just about taking the opportunity when given again.
Question: What about Mohammad Aamer, what do you make of him?
Mohammad Asif : Yeah he is good, heard a lot of good things about him. I’ve seen him in action too and from what I saw he’s very good, we’ll see how he does when given the opportunity. It will be important to see in what conditions he has to bowl within when he is given a chance, that always makes a big difference to any new bowler.
Question: So your plans to return to the Pakistan fold, what are they?
Mohammad Asif : Well I’m due to comeback in September this year, so I’m working hard to make that. Like I said I am in training and building up for my return.
Question: I guess that makes it the Champions Trophy?
Mohammad Asif : Yeah Champions Trophy will be a target, I hope to make it for that.
Question: Do you have a preference for a particular type of cricket, your success so far has mainly been in Tests?
Mohammad Asif : Not necessarily, I performed well in the last T20 World Cup, I got 11 wickets in that. I’ve always performed well in the T20 domestic competitions. I can focus on any of the games, be it T20, ODI, Tests. Unfortunately Pakistan has not seen much test cricket for a year and a half and then when it did return, there was the mishap that occurred. But I am looking forward to my return and after Champions Trophy we have a few test series coming up and that will be good for me and good for Pakistan.
Question: Do you ever have any problems adapting to the different formats of the game?
Mohammad Asif : My main weapon is line and length, and that is applicable in 20/20, applicable in Tests and again in One day internationals. Get the right areas and it makes life for batsmen very hard and then on top of that if conditions are favourable then life for them is even tougher.
Question: Is it your focus just line and length, do ever strive for more speed?
Mohammad Asif : Yeah as a bowler you must strive for all aspects of bowling. That includes speed but also swing, line and length, that should be a target for improvement for all good bowlers
Question: Do you ever pay particular notice of the speed guns?
Mohammad Asif : I always attempt to improve all aspects of my bowling. I do check I can maintain a good speed, good seam position and that I can establish good swing, particularly inswing which I think is a crucial weapon and can deceive a batsmen.
Question: Immediate comparisons to Mcgrath are made with your bowling style, but who was your inspiration whilst learning the game?
Mohammad Asif : Actually when I was young, Imran Khan’s stock was as high as anyone, in particular with the 1992 World cup winning team, there was such an aura around him. Then of course there was Wasim, Waqar, and Aaqib too. I looked up to all of them, all role-models to me and inspired me to start bowling.
Question: What has been your experience being coached by these players, to what extent has this happened?
Mohammad Asif : Very good and always very helpful to young bowlers. There has been Aaqib at the Academy and Wicky (Waqar) bhai previously . Wasim has come down a few times and taught me many things also.
Question: Do you think it would be worthwhile for the PCB to try sign up the likes of Wasim as a bowling coach?
Mohammad Asif : That I can’t answer, it’s a PCB decision, it’s their headache. They should bring in whoever they deem fit. I can only concern myself with playing cricket and not worry myself about who they bring in and who they don’t. Anyone who can provide Pakistan cricket a good service at a low cost would be good.
Question: What would you consider your best and worst moment in cricket so far?
Mohammad Asif : It’s difficult to answer, because you get so many ups and downs in your career. With the fall downs, all big players experience this, we all get bad patches. As for best moment I don’t think you can define a particular moment so far.
Question: So your best moment is yet to be come?
Mohammad Asif : Inshallah yes.
Question: But there must be one memory that stands out, either good or bad?
Muhammad Asif : I consider all my (successful) test performances as my best memories. The Sri Lanka series in which I got 17 wickets, that performance against India at Karachi and then in South Africa I took 19 wickets. All these are very memorable for me. I’ve only had a one or two bad matches in tests, I strive to make each match I play a best memory for me, I think that’s why I think the people like me.
Question: And so your toughest moment so far?
Mohammad Asif : (laughs)
Question: Come on, speak from the heart..
Mohammad Asif : (laughs again, even louder). You know I can’t answer that. (still laughing)
Question: Ok I get the hint, moving on, you are here in the UK coaching children, something you are looking to do more of?
Mohammad Asif : If there is a further opportunity to do such coaching, then I’ll definitely be up for it. I really enjoy it, the children are enthusiastic to learn and eager to improve.
Question: Seen many talented players (amongst the kids he was coaching)?
Mohammad Asif : There are two or three who stood out. If they put in real hard work they could be playing any type of cricket in a short while. They could really be internationals if they push themselves.
Question: You think there is good mechanism for talent development in England and the system here say in comparison to Pakistan?
Mohammad Asif : The facilities in England are really good and the system is very good to aid development especially for bowlers. The conditions challenge you.
Question: Sounds like you like it here, any plans for another county stint, perhaps next year?
Mohammad Asif : Inshallah yes, we also have 2011 season free, I will be looking to play county cricket in that time.
Question: Ok thank you for your time, all the best.
Mohammad Asif : Thank you, no problem.
He was recently doing a coaching initiative for children in conjunction with the London Cricket School.
Question: You’ve been out of cricket for a while, what have you been getting up to and how have you kept yourself motivated?
Mohammad Asif : I’m in training all the time, I go to the gym everyday. Bowling 5 days a week. Just recently I was with the Pakistan side in their training camp, previous to that I was in the National Academy. But the weather conditions there have changed now a bit, and here (in United Kingdom) the weather conditions are right for bowling so I am here for training, casual cricket and practising hard in the nets.
Question: You mention you were with the Pakistan side, they are due to play the T20 World Cup, what are there chances this time?
Mohammad Asif : I’m hoping we reach the final again, and we get India again and of course this time round we manage to win. We have a strong side, just recently we beat Australia in the 20/20 format and we are due to play a domestic tournament before coming to the UK. This way we get enough practise, only thing is the conditions will be a bit different here so we’ll need to adjust quickly. But I’m hopeful we have the type of batsmen which can adapt their game, they’re definitely mature enough to adapt.
Question: Following on from that, you think the 2007 World Cup side was stronger?
Mohammad Asif : It’s all about creating a good combination and balance within the side. I wouldn’t say this side or that side was any stronger, it’s all about the combination. The quicker they can make their side click the better it will be, I’m confident they’ll be able to make the final again.
Question: Who do you consider the match winners in this Pakistan side?
Mohammad Asif : You could say any of the senior players, they can all be considered main players. Shahid Afridi has been brilliant of late. Then there is Younis Khan who is vital to the batting at one down, he was struggling a few times recently and the side subsequently collapsed. Then also we have Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal, on who there is a lot of expectation and buzz at the moment. In the bowling still plenty of match winners, Shoaib Akhtar is a senior pro, Umar Gul who is always good and in particular Shahid Afridi who is bowling really well. They are all senior pro’s and should help the sides combination and some of the younger players.
Question: At your time at the NCA or otherwise, have you seen any promising pace bowlers in the Pakistan’s ranks?
Mohammad Asif : Well we’ve seen recently two new pace debutants (referring to Sohail Khan and Mohammad Talha) in the Sri Lanka series, I guess it will take a while for themselves to get ready for another opportunity, they will need to learn quickly and show improvement.
Question: Do you think either have the capability to succeed in Test Cricket?
Mohammad Asif : It was difficult for them, true they did struggle when given a chance in Test cricket and conditions certainly weren’t to their favour. The main thing was neither could get any swing, in test cricket if you are not 150 km/h then you either have to be able to swing the ball or bowl right on the spot every ball. Partly you could say there was pressure being their first test, Sohail Khan though has been around for a year or two, perhaps he shouldn’t have let that be a problem to him. I hope they get another opportunity.
Question: So that is a yes?
Mohammad Asif : Of course they have the talent to succeed, they were picked on merit by the selectors. Just about taking the opportunity when given again.
Question: What about Mohammad Aamer, what do you make of him?
Mohammad Asif : Yeah he is good, heard a lot of good things about him. I’ve seen him in action too and from what I saw he’s very good, we’ll see how he does when given the opportunity. It will be important to see in what conditions he has to bowl within when he is given a chance, that always makes a big difference to any new bowler.
Question: So your plans to return to the Pakistan fold, what are they?
Mohammad Asif : Well I’m due to comeback in September this year, so I’m working hard to make that. Like I said I am in training and building up for my return.
Question: I guess that makes it the Champions Trophy?
Mohammad Asif : Yeah Champions Trophy will be a target, I hope to make it for that.
Question: Do you have a preference for a particular type of cricket, your success so far has mainly been in Tests?
Mohammad Asif : Not necessarily, I performed well in the last T20 World Cup, I got 11 wickets in that. I’ve always performed well in the T20 domestic competitions. I can focus on any of the games, be it T20, ODI, Tests. Unfortunately Pakistan has not seen much test cricket for a year and a half and then when it did return, there was the mishap that occurred. But I am looking forward to my return and after Champions Trophy we have a few test series coming up and that will be good for me and good for Pakistan.
Question: Do you ever have any problems adapting to the different formats of the game?
Mohammad Asif : My main weapon is line and length, and that is applicable in 20/20, applicable in Tests and again in One day internationals. Get the right areas and it makes life for batsmen very hard and then on top of that if conditions are favourable then life for them is even tougher.
Question: Is it your focus just line and length, do ever strive for more speed?
Mohammad Asif : Yeah as a bowler you must strive for all aspects of bowling. That includes speed but also swing, line and length, that should be a target for improvement for all good bowlers
Question: Do you ever pay particular notice of the speed guns?
Mohammad Asif : I always attempt to improve all aspects of my bowling. I do check I can maintain a good speed, good seam position and that I can establish good swing, particularly inswing which I think is a crucial weapon and can deceive a batsmen.
Question: Immediate comparisons to Mcgrath are made with your bowling style, but who was your inspiration whilst learning the game?
Mohammad Asif : Actually when I was young, Imran Khan’s stock was as high as anyone, in particular with the 1992 World cup winning team, there was such an aura around him. Then of course there was Wasim, Waqar, and Aaqib too. I looked up to all of them, all role-models to me and inspired me to start bowling.
Question: What has been your experience being coached by these players, to what extent has this happened?
Mohammad Asif : Very good and always very helpful to young bowlers. There has been Aaqib at the Academy and Wicky (Waqar) bhai previously . Wasim has come down a few times and taught me many things also.
Question: Do you think it would be worthwhile for the PCB to try sign up the likes of Wasim as a bowling coach?
Mohammad Asif : That I can’t answer, it’s a PCB decision, it’s their headache. They should bring in whoever they deem fit. I can only concern myself with playing cricket and not worry myself about who they bring in and who they don’t. Anyone who can provide Pakistan cricket a good service at a low cost would be good.
Question: What would you consider your best and worst moment in cricket so far?
Mohammad Asif : It’s difficult to answer, because you get so many ups and downs in your career. With the fall downs, all big players experience this, we all get bad patches. As for best moment I don’t think you can define a particular moment so far.
Question: So your best moment is yet to be come?
Mohammad Asif : Inshallah yes.
Question: But there must be one memory that stands out, either good or bad?
Muhammad Asif : I consider all my (successful) test performances as my best memories. The Sri Lanka series in which I got 17 wickets, that performance against India at Karachi and then in South Africa I took 19 wickets. All these are very memorable for me. I’ve only had a one or two bad matches in tests, I strive to make each match I play a best memory for me, I think that’s why I think the people like me.
Question: And so your toughest moment so far?
Mohammad Asif : (laughs)
Question: Come on, speak from the heart..
Mohammad Asif : (laughs again, even louder). You know I can’t answer that. (still laughing)
Question: Ok I get the hint, moving on, you are here in the UK coaching children, something you are looking to do more of?
Mohammad Asif : If there is a further opportunity to do such coaching, then I’ll definitely be up for it. I really enjoy it, the children are enthusiastic to learn and eager to improve.
Question: Seen many talented players (amongst the kids he was coaching)?
Mohammad Asif : There are two or three who stood out. If they put in real hard work they could be playing any type of cricket in a short while. They could really be internationals if they push themselves.
Question: You think there is good mechanism for talent development in England and the system here say in comparison to Pakistan?
Mohammad Asif : The facilities in England are really good and the system is very good to aid development especially for bowlers. The conditions challenge you.
Question: Sounds like you like it here, any plans for another county stint, perhaps next year?
Mohammad Asif : Inshallah yes, we also have 2011 season free, I will be looking to play county cricket in that time.
Question: Ok thank you for your time, all the best.
Mohammad Asif : Thank you, no problem.