Mohammad Asif wishes to bowl alongside Mohammad Amir in England
Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Asif wishes to be bowling alongside Mohammad Amir in the upcoming Pakistan’s tour of England beginning this week. Asif was banned for 5 years with Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir with charges of spot-fixing during a Test at Lord’s back in 2010. His ban expired last year and is currently in making preparations in for the Pakistan domestic season. Asif has taken 106 wickets in 23 Test matches and hopes to make a comeback in the national squad for Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand and Australia scheduled to be played later this year. Former cricketer’s like Graeme Swann and Kevin Pietersen earlier stated that cricketers who are guilty of match-fixing should be banned for life.
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The Pakistani cricketer is currently in Oslo and says he is disappointed on miss the opportunity to play in English conditions. As per the reports of the BBC, Asif stated, "I would love to play in English conditions. I can swing it both ways. You get a hundred partnership, then suddenly the clouds come over, the ball starts moving and you can get a quick five or six wickets."
Asif believes that people should get a second chance as mistakes could be done by any body. The Pakistani pace also admitted that he faced a hard time during his suspension and also when he was in jail, "We made a mistake, we apologised and, after a mistake, everyone has the right to come back on track. It was a hard time, I went to jail and was banned and things got worse and worse. But, in the last year, things are getting better and better.”
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The Pakistani bowler also stated that he took inspiration from Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali during his stay in prison. At present, Asif is helping out young cricketers. "I have helped a lot with the Pakistan Cricket Board, visiting schools and regional teams to educate them to do right. I told them not to go wrong. Cricket is a gentleman's game, so play like a gentleman” said the cricketer from Sheikhupura, Pakistan.