Muhammad Asif, the right-arm medium fast bowler, who once played for the Pakistan International Team, has faced a great deal of controversy and challenges throughout his career.
Asif’s cricketing career was tarnished in 2010 when he was found guilty of spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test, which caused Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to ruin his career. However, it was later revealed that he was manipulated by the Mafia controlling the fixing game, and he was young and never knew the consequences.
Asif, who hails from Sheikhupura, has played first-class cricket for Khan Research Labs, National Bank, Quetta, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, and Leicestershire. Despite being a talented player and a significant asset to the Pakistani cricket team, Asif’s career was cut short when he was banned from playing cricket for five years, along with his fellow teammates Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir.
Comparing the handling of the incident to that of India’s Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), some Indian cricketers, including Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and his team, were caught up in similar allegations of match-fixing. However, the BCCI chose to take a different approach and acted to protect their players, which allowed them to continue their cricketing careers, leading to India’s win of the 2nd World Cup in 2011 under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.
In the case of Australian cricketers Steve Smith and David Warner, who were banned from the Australian cricket team due to ball tampering, they have been allowed to return to the team, and their contribution helped Australia to win the ICC T20 World Cup in 2022.
It is debatable whether banning a player and spoiling their career is the best course of action. Asif was a gifted bowler, and even today, there is nobody close to his caliber. The Pakistani Cricket Board has never taken any serious steps to rehabilitate this legendary bowler. Instead, Asif is now coaching at the international level in the UK, providing valuable lessons to young bowlers.
The Ball talks to me
Muhammad Asif Said
Despite being a mystery bowler, he still needs the attention of cricket fans worldwide. It’s high time that cricket fans raise their voice against such injustices and show their support to players who are wrongfully accused.
In conclusion, Muhammad Asif’s story is a reminder that the sport of cricket needs a system that ensures players’ rights and supports their well-being. It is the responsibility of cricketing authorities worldwide to provide players with protection and a fair trial when facing allegations of misconduct. While Asif’s cricketing career may have been cut short, his legacy as a talented bowler and coach lives on.
