KARACHI – Pakistan paceman Mohammad Asif’s remarkable talent promised much more than he delivered. Touted as one of the best new-ball bowlers, Asif faces a possible end to his troubled career in the spot-fixing hearing in Doha from January 6-11. Scandal is nothing new for 28-year-old Asif, whose five-year international career has had more lows than highs. Asif, along with another paceman Shoaib Akhtar, tested positive for a banned steroid in 2006.
He was banned for one year and Akhtar for two years, sanctions which were overturned on appeal, a decision which many felt encouraged Asif to continue flouting the rules. He again failed a dope test in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 and a two-year ban followed. Asif suffered more misery when he was arrested at Dubai airport for possessing a banned drug. He was detained for 19 days only to be deported after the police found the quantity of the substance “insufficient” to pursue a case.
Even after the ban ended, Asif’s career was hit by a scandal with film star Veena Malik, who alleged he owed her huge amounts of money. And when the spot-fixing scandal broke, Veena called Asif an “eternal fixer”. For many, Asif’s failure to act responsibly was disappointing. “Asif has been through a lot in his life, with doping allegations and bans, but he clearly has not learned from his mistakes,” said former captain Ramiz Raja.
It was under foreign coach Bob Woolmer that Asif blossomed as a swing bowler. Woolmer picked him for tour to Australia and although Asif went wicketless on his debut Test at Perth, Woolmer never lost faith in him. Asif claimed 11 wickets in a tour match against England in 2005 and was brought back into the side for final Test against India at home in 2006. He took seven wickets in the win over India – including the prized wicket of Sachin Tendulkar – which also helped Pakistan clinch the series. He followed it with eleven victims in Pakistan’s Test win at Galle, taking 17 wickets in the two Tests.
His ‘five-for’ also helped Pakistan beat South Africa at Port Elizabeth Test in 2007. But an elbow injury and worries over his disciplinary record forced Pakistan to withdraw him from the 2007 World Cup. After he completed the IPL ban, Asif’s career seemed to be back on track on the ill-fated England tour where he got 23 wickets in six Tests – two against Australia and four against the home team. “If this becomes Asif’s end, it would be hugely disappointing,” said former captain Imran Khan. “Asif bowling with Aamer is a great sight and without both, Pakistan will not be a force in the 2011 World Cup.”
