Mohammad Asif Was The Best Bowler I Faced, Had No Idea Against Him: Kevin Pietersen

Mohammad Asif was one of the most talented cricketers to have emerged from Pakistan.

England batting legend Kevin Pietersen has picked Mohammad Asif as the best bowler he faced during his international career while sharing a clip of himself being dismissed by the Pakistan bowler during a Test match between the two countries.

“I think there’s plenty batters around the world that were happy he got banned! He was the best I faced! I had no idea against him!” Pietersen wrote while quoting a Twitter clip of his dismissal.

I think there’s plenty batters around the world that were happy he got banned!
He was the best I faced!
I had no idea against him! https://t.co/AoN2xN2oX1

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) April 13, 2020

Asif was one of the most talented cricketers to have emerged from the overflowing cupboard of fast bowlers in Pakistan. However, involvement in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal ended his international career as he was slapped with a seven-year ban.

Often compared with Australia great Glenn McGrath, Asif played 23 Tests, 38 ODIs and 11 T20Is between 2005 and 2010, taking 165 wickets across formats.

Pietersen is not the only batting legend who has heaped high praise on the pacer. South African Hashim Amla, who announced international retirement last year, had also termed Asif as the ‘best bowler’ he ever faced.

“The best bowler I’ve ever faced is Mohammad Asif,” Amla told Peshawar Zalmi’s official website. “His accuracy was amazing. With the new ball, he moved it both ways and every ball felt like a question that could get you out. I found him to be an amazing bowler.”

Since the end of his ban Asif has returned to playing domestic cricket with his last first-class appearance back in November 2018.

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