Fazal Mahmood vs Mohammad Asif

[Bouncer]

It is unfortunate that Asif couldn't help himself at being Asif and now does not deserve to play international cricket at all because of being asif. But watching that guy was always pure joy in test matches. He was amazing artist who with his immaculate length and use of wrist could have been one of the greatest medium pacers to play the game.

Fazal also was one amazing bowler for his times - played on wickets that offered more help to seamers than asif did and most of us (if not all) did not watch Fazal play live.

Fazal: 34 games 139 Wickets 13 5fors 4 10fors @ 24
Asif: : 23 games 106 Wickets 7 5fors 1 10for @ 24

I would give it to asif even though only half of the 5fors and 10fors but unlike fazal Asif played in 11 which had more than one match winning bowlers and did I mention he was freaking magicians with his wrists. In fact if he was any less of an asif (as a person) than more than likely 20 years of now the term wristy would not only be associated with sub continent batsmen.

What do you guys say?

 

[smash84]

Asif was a genius with the ball (and money ) but look at Fazal's record. 13 fivers and 4 10fers in just 34 matches. So so good.

 

[Bouncer]

Asif was a genius with the ball (and money ) but look at Fazal's record. 13 fivers and 4 10fers in just 34 matches. So so good.

I agree that his stats are amazing but you have to consider the factors that were in fazal's favor.

- great uncovered bowling wickets.
- not another potent bowler in the 11.

 

[fredfertang]

Fazal was the only match winner Pakistan had until the 1970s - without him they'd have been whipping boys in the same way as Bangladesh and the early Zim and SL sides - as it was they won a Test against India in their first series, are still the only one to draw their first series in England and they won their first Test against Australia, and did ok against West Indies - he should be revered more than he is, and certainly much more than Asif

 

[Bouncer]

Fazal was the only match winner Pakistan had until the 1970s - without him they'd have been whipping boys in the same way as Bangladesh and the early Zim and SL sides - as it was they won a Test against India in their first series, are still the only one to draw their first series in England and they won their first Test against Australia, and did ok against West Indies - he should be revered more than he is, and certainly much more than Asif

I do not mean he was not good with the ball in his hand, what I am saying that his figures look more attractive than asif because of above reason.

 

[fredfertang]

It's even tougher without support isn't it?

... and he also used to take his wickets in clutches too - of course some will say he was lucky to play on matting wickets, with some justification, but his performances in England in 1954 were amazing

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

can understand the appeal for Asif but Fazal is a legend.

Fazal's record in sub continent was outstanding, something around an avg of 20 and played and took wickets mostly in sc although many on some difficult wickets for batting. Here's a list of batsmen he dismissed- Hunte (6), Sobers (5), Harvey (5), Kanhai (4), Compton (3) and so on. It can be argued he didn't have the support and carried the team himself. He was a true match winner.

 

[Bouncer]

It's even tougher without support isn't it?

... and he also used to take his wickets in clutches too - of course some will say he was lucky to play on matting wickets, with some justification, but his performances in England in 1954 were amazing

Agreed

 

[Agent Nationaux]

What type of a bowler was Fazal?

A great hero for Pakistan. According to my mum he carried me in his lap on a train journey when I was a wee little thing.

 

[fredfertang]

Shahbash! Pakistan

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

What type of a bowler was Fazal?

A great hero for Pakistan. According to my mum he carried me in his lap on a train journey when I was a wee little thing.

from Wisden,

Fazal's ability to cut and seam the ball at a fair pace led him to be compared - in style and stamina - to England's Alec Bedser

"varying his swing with a mixture of leg-cutters and breakbacks", according to Wisden

 

[Agent Nationaux]

So a lot similar to Asif.

 

[Fusion]

Shahbash! Pakistan

Still one of my favorite article to read on CW.

 

[smash84]

Shahbash! Pakistan

awesome read

 

[morgieb]

If Asif wasn't such a dickhead and had a proper career then maybe he'd be better than Fazal. As it is though....

 

[AnasAbbas]

Asif took a lot of advantage from Waqar younus and Aaqib Javed.He is really an amazing learner but Fazal, he was a master of swing and cut when very few ones know how to do it?

 

[ankitj]

It's not Fazal Mohammad first of all

 

[smash84]

It's not Fazal Mohammad first of all

never noticed it until you pointed it out

 

[LongHopCassidy]

If both got to play with steroids then Fazal would win in a muscular walk.

 

[slowfinger]

If both got to play with steroids then Fazal would win in a muscular walk.

awta