Mohammad Asif slams PCB, selectors for ignoring him

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has once again criticised the cricketing authorities for ignoring him, despite his performance on the domestic circuit.

“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,” Asif said while talking to local media.

“If you are giving 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,” the cricketer added.

Asif also expressed delight over the applause he received recently from South Africa’s batsman Hashim Amla, who termed him as the ‘best fast bowler’ he has ‘ever faced’. “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,” Amla had said recently in an interview.

Amla is not the first batsman to applaud Asif’s bowling ability. Earlier, former English batsman Kevin Pietersen also called him as the best bowler he has ever faced.

Asif's rising international career came to an abrupt halt after he was found involved in the infamous 2010 spot-fixing scandal. Asif alongside then captain Salman Butt and fellow fast bowler Mohammad Amir were found involved the scandal, with Asif getting banned for seven years by the International Cricket Council (ICC).