Mohammad Asif curses PCB for way Amir was rescued

Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif has said his ambition was to finish his career on a better note and he had regrets the way it ended up.

“But that's a different story. I think whatever happened it had to happen and that's okay. Everyone has regrets in their life and a few want to talk about them, but I think I am fine. Everyone makes mistakes and I did too.”

About his career, Asif said “However much I played in my career, I made it count, I shook up the world. That is more important for me to think about.

“Even today, so many years later, the best batsmen in the world still remember me and they talk about me. Just think how big the impact was that I had on the world. So this is what makes me proud - that there is a reason KP, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla talk highly about me. That is what makes me happy.”

In an interview to a cricket website cricinfo.com, Asif said players had been indulging in fixing before him and even after me. “But those before me are working with PCB and there are few after me still playing.”

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“Everyone was given a second chance and there are few who never got the same treatment [as me]. PCB never tried to save me regardless of the fact that I am the kind of bowler who was highly regarded by everyone in the world. But anyway I'm not sitting around brooding about the past or hung up on it.”

In this connection, Asif also discussed Mohammad Amir, saying he cursed the PCB for how they rescued his career.

“But it was his obligation to help Pakistan cricket in a tough situation and he should have stayed, especially when they had helped him return. Anyway, it's the PCB's decision to let him go, but if he is meant to leave Test cricket at this age, it really is a curse upon those who fought so hard to bring him back. And did anyone ever take Amir's name, saying he was the toughest bowler to handle? Definitely no.”

He was critical of Amir’s decision to leave Test cricket even after he had been treated.

“It's about how compassionate you are. If the PCB invested so much in you then it's your duty to rescue them in Test cricket. If they had done the same with me, then I'd still be available to rescue Pakistan in Test cricket for the next two years. I know there are fitness standards, but I can work that out and whatever is required I can do it.”

About his future plans, Asif said he was currently working in the US, between New Jersey, Washington DC and Pittsburgh. “There are some wonderful academies here and I've also been playing some league matches.”