AB de Villiers: “Asif was the best seamer I ever faced”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary South Africa batsman AB de Villiers said Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif is the “best seamer I ever faced”.
Asif was renowned for his impeccable line and length, along with his ability to swing the ball both ways.
He represented Pakistan in 23 Tests and took 106 wickets at an average of 24.36.
The 42-year-old also played 38 ODIs and claimed 46 wickets at an average of 33.13.
As for his T20I career, the Sheikhupura native picked up 13 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 26.38.
This is not the first time De Villiers has praised Asif as the Proteas great previously said he would choose him to bowl for his life since he was “unplayable” with the new ball.
“Asif was the best seamer I ever faced,” De Villiers was quoted as saying by A Sports.
The Pakistan team recently played a three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, which they won 3-0.
They then toured Bangladesh for three T20Is, but ended up losing 2-1.
The men in green then travelled to the West Indies for a white-ball series and came away with mixed results as they won the T20Is 2-1 but lost the ODIs 2-1.
After their tour of the West Indies, Pakistan took on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan in a T20I tri-series in Sharjah, which they won.
They are now involved in the 2025 Asia Cup, which is taking place in the UAE.
Pakistan beat Oman and the UAE in the group stage, but lost to India as well.
They fell to India again in the Super Four before bouncing back to claim wins over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, which earned them a spot in the final.
Pakistan will face India in the Asia Cup final on September 28 in Dubai.
Pakistan squad for UAE T20I tri-series and 2025 Asia Cup: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem