Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has criticized the double standards of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and national selectors On Friday (8th February) after being constantly ignored for national selection despite performing well in the domestic circuit.
Ever since returning to the domestic circuit after serving a spot-fixing ban, Asif has been doing exceptionally well with the ball, but repeatedly failed to get a national call-up, constantly ignored by the selectors.
On Friday, Asif has refreshed his attacks at the PCB and national selectors for ignoring him for national selection despite his show in domestics cricket as well as for their double standard, asking if they are giving the opportunity to Mohammad Amir, who was also one of the culprits, they why not him.
Asif told local media, “I performed very well in the previous domestic season, picking up some 45 wickets in seven matches. However, no one called me up and I am getting completely ignored, which is unjust and should not happen.”
The 36-year-old continued, “If you are giving an opportunity to one person [Mohammad Amir], others should be given the same opportunity as well. It is a double standard from the Pakistan Cricket Board [PCB] and cricket selectors, as well.”
Meanwhile, Asif was delighted to get the applause from the likes of Hashim Amla and Kevin Pietersen for his show with the ball. Recently, South Africa’s batsman termed Asif as the ‘best fast bowler’ he has ‘ever faced’ while Englishman called him as the best bowler he has ever faced.
Amla had said, “Mohammad Asif is the best one. I know he got banned for match-fixing but at that stage, he was the best fast bowler I’ve ever faced. He was not that quick, bowling around 135kph maybe, but his accuracy was phenomenal.”
(With Brecorder Inputs)
