Banned Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif was very threatening during his peak time. When India toured Pakistan in 2006, he made sure the home side win the three-match Test series by 1-0.

The first two matches were drawn, but in the last game, Pakistan destroyed India with full force as the visiting side had no answer. India lost the match by 341 runs. 

Shoaib Akhtar recalled the match and described how Asif had bothered VVS Laxman and other India batsmen in the Karachi Test. 

Speaking in an ESPNCricinfo videocast, India cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar asked Akhtar: “Did you acquire accuracy from practice or you always had it?”

To which, he replied, “This is a talent that you are usually born with, either you have bowling sense or not. For example Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Asif. If these two bowlers had gone on to play for a longer period of time, they could bowl all kinds of deliveries."

ALSO READ: "Unconventional and fiercely proud"; VVS Laxman shares Ganguly's infamous Lord's balcony photo

He added, “The world has seen me bowl. If you want to see the art of bowling, just observe Mohammad Asif - that is what you call bowling. VVS Laxman was frustrated in Karachi (2006) because he didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t figure out the deliveries that were being bowled to him."

“Same was the case with AB de Villiers. So the art of bowling is also a talent. There is a lot of bowlers in the world who come in and run in bowl and they are done. You can practice and get accurate with your bowling, but not smartness,” he further said.

The Karachi Test is famous for Irfan Pathan's hat-trick in first over, but Asif's 7 wickets in the match against best of India batsmen ensured Pakistan's victory by 341 runs.