Tag: Mohammad Asif

Mohammad Asif clinches IBSF World Snooker Championship 2024 title

DOHA: Pakistani cueist Mohammad Asif has defeated Iran’s Ali Gharahgozlou to claim the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) World Snooker Championship 2024 title here on Wednesday.

The 42-year-old player made his entrance into the tournament as a qualifier, having received a nomination from the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) to participate as a wild card entrant.

He seized the opportunity with remarkable determination, delivering breathtaking performances that captivated audiences throughout the tournament.

Mohammad Asif clinched the coveted IBSF World Snooker Championship 2024 title with a score of 5-3 against Ali Gharahgozlou in the final.

Asif started the match with an impressive display of skill, dominating the opening frame with a commanding score of 70-25. However, Gharahgozlou quickly found his rhythm in the second frame, levelling the contest with a resounding victory of 87-7.

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Undeterred, Asif regained his momentum in the third frame, showcasing his talent by winning decisively at 82-8.

The Pakistani cueist then delivered a breathtaking performance in the fourth frame, executing a flawless 106 clearance break, which was his sixth-century break of the tournament.

Asif continued to exhibit his prowess in the fifth frame, further solidifying his advantage with a convincing 82-12 win, bringing his lead to a solid 4-1.

Although Gharahgozlou fought back valiantly, claiming victories in both the sixth and seventh frames, Asif proved too strong. He sealed his victory in the eighth frame with a stellar performance, executing a remarkable 93-point break.

This is the third individual world title of Mohammad Asif, having previously won championships in 2012 and 2019.

Moreover, he has also clinched two team titles, which makes him the most decorated cueist in the history of Pakistan with five world titles.

READ: Ramiz Raja defends Babar Azam amid criticism after first Australia ODI

Former pacer confident USA can beat Pakistan again

Former pacer Mohammad Asif has made a bold prediction that the United States of America (USA) will defeat Pakistan again in the next edition of the ICC T20 World Cup in 2026.

The USA recently handed Pakistan a shocking defeat in the T20 World Cup 2024, which was their first-ever appearance at a major ICC event.

Mohammad Asif, during an appearance on a local YouTube podcast, expressed a strong belief that the way Pakistan is playing lately, they can lose to the USA once again.

“We lost to the USA, who were playing in the T20 World Cup for the first time. They didn’t even qualify, they played because they were the hosts,” Asif said.

“The way the situation is going at this moment, the USA will beat Pakistan in the next World Cup, in 2026. I’ll guarantee you that,” he predicted.

The former pacer suggested that the Pakistan cricket team requires a fresh approach with a new captain, coach, and a comprehensive long-term strategy ahead of the next T20 World Cup.

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“Before the 2026 World Cup, we have to change the captain, coach and the players. There needs to be planning for the two years that this is the team, this is the 20 players we want to work with. But we are repeating the same things, which is why I am telling you this,” he suggested.

Notably, Pakistan had a disastrous start to their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign courtesy of the aforementioned shock loss against the USA.

The Green Shirts lost the game in the Super Over as they failed to chase down the 19-run target. Senior pacer Mohammad Amir bowled the Super Over for Pakistan and conceded 18 runs. In response, the Green Shirts only managed 13/1.

Following the defeat against the USA, Pakistan succumbed to a frustrating six-run defeat against arch-rivals India.

The back-to-back defeats put Pakistan on the verge of an early exit from the tournament. The former champions got on the winning track when they registered a hard-fought seven-wicket victory over Canada to keep Super Eights hopes alive.

However, the USA’s match against Ireland was abandoned without a ball bowled due to persistent rain in Florida, resulting in Pakistan getting knocked out of the tournament.

READ: Babar Azam suffers steep decline, Rizwan makes big leap in ICC Test Rankings

Aaqib Javed compares THIS Sri Lankan pacer with Mohammad Asif

Former Pakistan Test cricketer and Sri Lanka’s bowling coach Aaqib Javed showered massive praise on young Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando by comparing him with Mohammad Asif.

Right-arm pacer Asif, who represented Pakistan in 23 Tests, 38 ODIs and 11 T20Is from 2005 to 2010, was considered one of the most gifted and skilful pacers, having been acknowledged by the likes of AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Kevin Pietersen.

Meanwhile, Fernando, in the ongoing first away Test against England, impressed with his performance, returning figures of 3/68 which included key wickets of Ollie Pope and Joe Root.

The right-arm pacer, despite conceding runs at almost five runs per over, caused trouble to the home side with his skiddy pace and ability to swing both ways.

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Acknowledging Asitha Fernando’s brilliance, Aaqib Javed compared him with Mohammad Asif.

“I told him that after Mohammad Asif of Pakistan I saw that quality in him. Not many people know about his ability. Without changing his wrist, he can swing the ball both ways,” said Aaqib.

Aaqib then went on to reveal that he was the one who picked Asif, who was not even a part of the system back then.

“I actually picked Mohammad Asif. He wasn’t in the system. That’s how I know Asif a lot. Sometimes you don’t know what happens with your wrist. He (Asitha) has now got different confidence levels. People change their wrists, change the shine (which way it is showing) – but Asitha is so gifted, and they (the batters) even don’t know which way it will go,’ he further added.

READ: Smith edges England ahead in first Test against Sri Lanka

Mohammad Asif advises Babar Azam to avoid politics

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif offered a piece of advice to Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam, stating that the star batter should not run after captaincy and refrain from being a part of the politics.

Asif, known for his blunt remarks, appeared in a YouTube podcast and spoke highly of Babar, terming him the only proper player in the national team.

Mohammad Asif, however, opined that Babar Azam should not run after captaincy as he is above the leadership role.

“To be honest, we only have Babar Azam at this point. He is above captaincy, and he shouldn’t run after it. I don’t know why he is after captaincy. Babar Azam is currently the backbone; even if he steps out of the circle, he will manage,” stated Asif.

“He is the only proper player right now. I don’t know why he is being dragged into politics, or if he is getting involved in it, he shouldn’t do that.

“He is above the captaincy and needs to carry the young players in his circle along with him. Such politics could damage his career,” Asif concluded.

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Last year, Mohammad Asif made a massive claim, asserting that he could bowl a maiden over to Babar Azam, highlighting his struggle with power-hitting.

“I can bowl a maiden over to Babar Azam in T20 cricket even today,” stated Asif in the X space. “He cannot hit the ball if you bowl good deliveries to him.’

It is worth mentioning here that the Babar Azam-led Pakistan, in a first, were knocked out from the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The former champions failed to advance to the Super Eights stage, mainly due to their upset defeat against co-host United States of America (USA) in the campaign opener, followed by a gut-wrenching defeat against arch-rivals India.

The Green Shirts, since then, have been under stiff scrutiny and are on the receiving end of the fans’ enrage.

READ: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman struggle against Naseem Shah’s brother

Muhammad Asif to face former Welsh champion Perry in European Masters

NUREMBERG: Pakistan’s professional snooker player Muhammad Asif will take on former Welsh Open champion Joe Perry in the first round of the upcoming European Masters.

The 2023 edition of European Masters will run from August 22-27 here with Kyren Wilson to defend his title, which he won by beating Barry Hawkins 9-3 in the final.

Meanwhile, renowned Pakistan cueist Muhammad Asif, who turned professional in June last year is slated to face former Welsh Open champion Joe Perry in the first round.

Additionally, Asif’s professional countrymate Asjad Iqbal will face off against Thai Snooker sensation Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in the opening round of the tournament.

Notably, both cueist earned a two-year professional card of the World Snooker Tour (WTS) following their dominant run in the Q School 1 Asia & Oceania.

After earning the professional card, both Asjad Iqbal and Muhammad Asif participated in several ranking titles but failed to make it big.

Asjad Iqbal had a dream run in the Snooker Shoot Out in January this year when he downed England’s counterpart, Jimmy Robertson 73-33 to book a spot in the Round of 32.

Asjad, who stunned David Gilbert in the first round, carried on his momentum to add Robertson to the list of scalped opponents.

In the Round of 64 clash against Robertson, Asjad displayed utter domination as he outclassed his opponent with a gigantic margin of 40 points.

The Pakistani cueist was trailing by five points till the eighth minute before he scripted yet another astounding comeback and sealed the victory; courtesy of a Break of 64.

With his precision and by holding his nerves calm, it was an easy affair for the national cueist in the closing moments before the match timer ran out.

READ: Faisalabad shooter Mohsin Nawaz receives Lifetime Sports Achievement Award

AB de Villiers picks Mohammad Asif to ‘bowl for his life’

Legendary South Africa batter AB de Devellier has named Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif as the bowler he wants to bowl for his life.

In a Youtube live session on his channel “Three Sixty”, de Villiers was asked to name one bowler who he wants to bowl for his life.

“Mohammad Asif” he quickly replied, exclaiming, “That guy with a new ball. Oh!”

Former Proteas captain was joined by the Indian star and his teammate at Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, Virat Kohli, for a live session on the platform named ‘The 360 Show.’

After a brief conversation, both cricketers participated in a rapid-fire round. In the session, both players were asked to pick a bowler they wanted to bowl for their life.

Virat picked Dale Steyn after a long thought while de Villiers immediately named Asif.

It may be noted here that Asif, known for his magical seam and swing bowling, represented Pakistan in 23 Tests and 38 ODIs; picking up 106 and 46 wickets respectively.

He was one of the three Pakistani players including the then Test captain Salman Butt and left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir to be involved in the spot-fixing in Lord’s Test in 2010.

The right-arm pacer Asif was initially handed a seven-year ban but could not make his way back into the national side hence after.

READ: Pakistan ‘well-balanced’ to face Afghanistan spinners: Rehman

‘Talent wasted, no doubt’ Wasim Akram about Mohammad Asif

KARACHI: Pakistan’s legendary left-arm pacer Wasim Akram claimed it was unfortunate for Pakistan that Mohammad Asif could not play for long and termed the latter a ‘wasted talent’.

The legendary Pakistani bowler Wasim has opined on the former right-arm pacer Asif and acknowledged that there is no doubt that he is a wasted talent.

“Yeah, everyone raved about Mohammad Asif. Talent wasted, no doubt,” Akram said on the YouTube show, To Be Honest.

Wasim then went on to commend Asif’s control of the ball and termed the dismal conclusion of his career unfortunate for Pakistan.

“But whoever I talked to, everyone said that they had seen such a bowler after decades. The way he controlled the ball, the way he managed to swing the ball both ways… it’s very unfortunate for him and for Pakistan too,” Wasim stated.

“I haven’t seen him for ages. I have been living in Karachi for 10 years now, I rarely go to Lahore.  He was a kid. Mistakes happen,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Asif was one of the three Pakistani players including the then Test captain Salman Butt and left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir to be involved in the spot-fixing in Lord’s Test in 2010.

The right-arm pacer Asif was initially handed a seven-year ban but could not make his way back into the national side hence after.

READ: PCB sidelines regional coaches and selectors Basit Ali and Faisal Iqbal

‘Asif was a magician, made me look like an ordinary bowler’ Shoaib Akhtar

KARACHI: Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar heaped praises on his counterpart Mohammad Asif by terming the latter as a magician.

In an interview, with an Indian website Hindustan Times, Akhtar recalled the nail-biting Test series between the two arch-rivals Pakistan and India and revealed how Asif made him look like an ordinary bowler.

“The way Asif trapped the Indian team…I have never seen a magician like him. He made me look like a very ordinary fast bowler. I remember him bowling in the 2006 Test match against India. He bowled an inswinger to Laxman and he was bowled out. I told him, ‘What a fluke! It does happen once or twice’. He replied saying, ‘I will dismiss him in the exact same manner in the next innings’. It did not swing that much in that delivery, but it was exactly the same, it seamed as well and Laxman was gone,” Akhtar told Hindustan times.

Akhtar further carried his praise for Asif and claimed the latter’s calibre was the same as that of the legendary pacer Wasim Akram.

“While I was trying to hurt Sachin, Indian batting was facing the music in the name of Asif. I have seen such bowling performances only once or twice. The only other bowler who had the same calibre was Wasim Akram,” Akhtar said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Asif’s seven wickets in Karachi Test bolstered Pakistan to defeat India by 341 runs in the third and final test to win the series 1-0. The previous two Tests were drawn.

READ: FIFA World Cup Trophy reaches Pakistan

Mohammad Asif earns professional card at Asia-Oceania Q School

BANGKOK: Pakistan’s veteran cueist Mohammad Asif has earned a professional card from the World Snooker Tour (WST) following his comprehensive victory over his countrymate Asjad Iqbal in the semi-final of the Q School 1 Asia & Oceania, here on Sunday.

The two-time IBSF World Amateur Champion – Asif locked horns with his fellow cueist Asjad in the semi-final in a bid to earn the professional card from the WST. The snooker player displayed his brilliance in the all-important final defeating the latter by 4-2 in a Best of 7.

In the semi-final, Asif quickly pulled ahead as he claimed the first frame by the scores of 72-28. Asjad, on the other hand, did not hold back as he claimed the next to cut the lead.

The match again followed the same pattern till the fourth frame as Asif pulled ahead and Asjad levelled at 2-2.

The former IBSF champion then roared back to claim the next two frames and clinched the victory, which earned him a professional card for two years.

 

Following this achievement, Asif will now be able to compete in the World Snooker Tour for 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. He has also become just the first Pakistani player to earn a professional card.

READ: Nadal wins record-extending 14th French Open and 22nd Grand Slam title

‘Followed Asif to learn bowling wobble seam’ Anderson

KARACHI: England’s pacer James Anderson revealed that he learned bowling wobble seam delivery after watching Mohammad Asif of Pakistan in 2010. 

Speaking to 7 Cricket, Anderson responded to a query about his command on wobble seam delivery.

“It was before the 2010/11 Ashes, David Saker was our bowling coach. He said Kookaburra doesn’t swing for the huge amount of time, so something else in the locker as a bowler was crucial here in Australia for success,” Anderson shared.

“In summer 2010, we played against Pakistan and Mohammad Asif was bowling this ball which just wobbled a little bit, it was not seaming nor swinging, he was just trying to nip off the seam,

“So I spent the whole summer practising that and working on it and was comfortable to bowl here [in Australia] which actually brought success for me throughout that series,” he revealed.

It must be noted here that Asif was one of the best swing bowlers of his time. He represented Pakistan in 23 Tests, 38 ODIs and 11 T20Is, bagging 165 wickets.

READ: Sindh government considers limiting crowd during PSL 7 in Karachi

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