South Africa vs Pakistan 2019: Mohammad Asif is the Best Bowler I Faced - Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla is a true veteran of the game. Not only he has been one of the finest number three Test players in many years, but Amla also owns the reputation of being a nice guy off the field. Over the years, since his debut, he had faced many world-class bowlers; however; ahead of the series-deciding ODI against Pakistan on Wednesday, Amla revealed who was the best bowler he had come across. In an interview to SuperSport, the right-handed batsman said banned fast bowler, Mohammad Asif was the best bowler he faced.
Veteran Amla lauds tainted Asif
Nine years back, three Pakistan players named Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were found guilty in a spot-fixing case during Lord’s Test. Later, the ICC slapped respective bans on the players. However, of them, only Amir returned to national setup; as both Salman and Asif remain on the sidelines. Though it has been that many years the world didn’t see Asif bowl in the international arena, Amla considers him as the best of the lot till date.
Many batsmen have labelled Asif as the best bowler they have faced in their career. Image Courtesy: Getty
Amla added Asif didn’t have express pace, but his accuracy could have anyone on the mat. He said,
“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,” Amla said.
The 35-year old further talked about Asif’s seam movement. Hashim Amla said he could never tell whether the ball will nip in or out off the pitch.
“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 veteran added.
No just me, Asif was the best for others too – Amla
Hashim Amla has travelled the world and is a widely acclaimed batsman. He revealed when he had talked to other batsmen of other countries, Mohammad Asif sits on the top of their list too.
“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.”
Meanwhile, the five-match ODI series stands 2-2 at the moment. The fifth and final match of the series is scheduled for Wednesday (January 30th) in Cape Town.
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