Pakistan rocked by Asif blow

Pakistan cricket doesn’t do simple and uncomplicated. Rare is the major tour that starts off without controversy or mishap. If it was Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif failing drug tests before the Champions Trophy last October, it was Shoaib taking a swipe at his new-ball partner in the build-up to the World Twenty20. And like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, it seems as though the dream pairing just isn’t meant to be. This time, it was Asif that stayed behind at home as the team touched down in Delhi.

The same elbow injury had ruled him out of three Tests on the tour of England last year, contributing in no small measure to a skewed 3-0 scoreline, and also afflicted him in South Africa earlier this year. A case of too much, too soon? It would appear so.

After breaking through against India in the Karachi Test last year – the delivery that got VVS Laxman in the first innings was one for the ages – Asif suddenly found himself spearheading the attack. Shoaib, whose task that should have been, was by then reduced to cameos, his appearances limited by injuries, poor fitness and volatile relationships within the team.

Clearly, the burden has been too much and though the Pakistan cricket fraternity remains cautiously optimistic that Asif will have a role to play in the three Tests, it will be a huge gamble to risk him in three more or less back-to-back games with little or no practice. You can also rest assured that India won’t be preparing any pitches that aid extravagant movement off the seam, so the quick bowlers could once again be reduced to the donkey’s role, as Shoaib once memorably put it. It would be a huge shame however if this marquee series is to be deprived of the presence of perhaps the most exciting young pace bowler to emerge since a flame-haired Shaun Pollock jarred bat handles and egos in the mid-90s.

Comments

[Dileep]

Am pretty cynical about professional sport myself, but in the case of someone like Asif, I'd focus my attention on shady men behind the scenes. Guys like Asif, and some of the younger Indian players, are impossibly naive. If someone gives them something saying it's a tonic that will make them stronger, they'll take it.

This is a boy who can't even spell nandrolone and I doubt if he had any idea about the long-term side effects. It's not an excuse, but cases like that merely highlight how important player education is. Tomorrow, it could be Munaf Patel or some other Indian player from a similar background.

As for the drop-off in performance, I don't agree. Most of his best spells had everything to do with a strong wrist and immaculate seam position. Hence the comparisons with McGrath. Once he recovers from the elbow injury, I'm sure he'll be operating at that level again.

[Maxxter]

Pretty sad really to see Asif missing out...
too much work load is a decent excuse but i'm sure there's more to it than what meets the eye. The scuffle with Shoaib is surely doing the rounds in that "happening" dressing room of the Men in green.

[Dhondy]

You really mean that, Dileep?

This is a man who abused a performance enhancing drug to accelerate his recovery from an injury, only to be spared by some amazing double dealing from his own board.

The cynic, and I am one of them, would point out the drop-off in his performances since the nandrolone scam broke. How many of those deliciously crafted wickets that defined his golden run were steroid aided?

We may never find out the answer, but isn't it ironic that his career is now overshadowed by another injury? Cricket is a great leveller in more ways than one.

Give me honest-john Umar Gul any day.