Never bothered to criticize, always focused on my stick: Asif

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Pakistani batting sensation Asif Ali, who made headlines with his six-hit prowess in the last two T20 World Cup matches, insisted he never paid attention to criticism regarding his selection for the national team. The 30-year-old’s selection for the T20 World Cup squad had caused an uproar in Pakistani media, with many calling his inclusion “flawed”.

He was often guilty of letting the team down in international matches in the past. “First, I’m away from social media and I’m not the gossip. I don’t know about the critics, ” Asif said in post-match interaction after smashing 25 on seven balls to propel Pakistan to a five-wicket win over Afghanistan with more to spare . Needing 24 over the last two overs, Asif managed four sixes for Karim Jannat to finish the job in 19th place as the 2009 champions set foot in the semifinals with three wins at the trot.

But Asif didn’t have a perfect preparation for the centerpiece, with critics accusing the selection committee headed by Mohammad Wasim of giving him another chance after repeated failures.

In the national T20s, Asif recorded a strike rate of 147.02 in 203 matches.

But internationally before the World Cup, Asif had a modest strike rate of 123.74 out of 29 T20Is.

His best score of 41 against Zimbabwe came in July 2018, and he has failed to reach double-digit scores in his last four innings.

“The statisticians will only tell you that you scored 10 points in three innings (13 points in three innings),” he said.

But they ignore the fact that you only played two or three balls the last time around.

“ In my last series (against Zimbabwe and South Africa), I played No.6. It’s a tough position, if you don’t do well they just shoot the numbers without going into the details and the challenges faced in mid-range. ” The Islamabad United batsman added he deserved his place on the merit of its form.

I was in and out of the team, but the team wanted me and I was called back. I was focused on my job. I played in all the leagues (franchises) all over the world, as well as national cricket, ”said Asif.

“I was in good contact with my game. So it was obvious that I could play because I was on stage,” he said.

He attributed his turnaround to the hard work on the nets where he specifically instructed management to prepare him for death.

I did a lot of training for this role of finisher. Previously I was just going to hit the nets, but then I talked to the coaches and asked them to prepare me during the workouts as if I was batting in the last five-six overs, ”said Asif. .

I did a lot of hard work after struggling in the last heats. You see its result now. I’m really happy with the way management has worked with me and you are seeing the results. Our goal is firmly to win the World Cup. ” Asif was a revelation in the ongoing T20 World Cup and first showed his menacing form against New Zealand where he took their playmaker Tim Southee to the cleaners with two sixes in a row in his 27 steps on 12 balls.

Against Afghanistan, he faced a greater challenge after Naveen-ul-Haq conceded just two points and sidelined experienced pro Shoaib Malik in the 18th.

“The limit on the side was smaller from the end of this 19th place. But they played wide on the outside and that’s where I ended up hitting six at the bigger limit. It wasn’t exactly the plan, but I just hit the balls I had.

I kept telling Shoaib Malik that we would aim for this volley, but unfortunately he ended up doing it. Luckily we ended up winning the game, ” Asif said.

He also thanked his former Pakistani coach and ex-captain Misbah Ul Haq for the turnaround. “I want to thank Misbah with whom I started my career in Faisalabad and later in SNGPL. Then I played under him when he became Pakistan coach. He worked very hard with me and I will always be grateful to him. All my coaches have worked with me and I am grateful to them, ”he concluded.

(This story was not edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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