I am very please to be with Asad Ali of SNGPL and Faislabad Wolves, at Wood Lane Cricket Club in the Staffordshire League Premier Divison. Asad Ali speaks to PakPassion.net on his career so far and what he expects to gain from his stint in England. 

by Sledger (02 July 2011)

PakPassion.net: I'm very pleased to be with Asad Ali of SNGPL and Faisalabad Wolves, at Wood Lane Cricket Club in the Staffordshire League Premier Division. Asad, you?re currently playing league cricket in Staffordshire which is a good standard of cricket, what do you think are the main benefits for a Pakistani player to come here in England and play at this level?

Asad Ali: Bismillah al rahman al rahim - When you come here the first thing that happens is that one's line and length improves as your target is to get the most wickets. The team is also expecting you to take wickets on these seam friendly wickets where the weather and conditions as good for seam bowling. As such, you naturally improve your control and this can be carried on in Pakistan where you need to be disciplined because the conditions aren?t so helpful.


PakPassion.net: You?ve played 5 seasons of this league cricket, has it improved you as an overall bowler, especially when you go back to Pakistan?

Asad Ali: Yes, it has, you are absolutely right. I?ve been playing for 5 years now and it really helps me when I go back to Pakistan. I was a natural outswing bowler before but here I?ve found more about away swing and learnt how to control the new ball and shape the ball back in too. I think it?s very important to move the new ball both ways and these are perfect conditions to exploit that and further learn the art of fast bowling. This helps me immensely when I go back to Pakistan and I perform very well back home.


PakPassion.net: Your domestic statistics read very impressively ( 50 first class games with over 250 wickets) and they're produced on those generally flat wickets in Pakistan. How was your last season playing for SNGPL and Faisalabad?

Asad Ali: I learnt a lot last season and it?s probably the best season I?ve played ? it really was a great experience. My target was to be the highest wicket taker of that season, which I came so close to achieving. Unfortunately for me, in the closing stages of the tournament I missed out on a couple of games due to the Hong Kong sixes tournament and Sadaf Hussain managed to take 65 wickets, while I claimed 57 wickets in 9 matches in 14 innings.

Last season that I played for Pakistan, I really learnt a lot. Especially after what I picked up from here and then went to play in Pakistan. That season, in my 4 seasons, was the best one as I picked up 57 wickets as well.


PakPassion.net: A lot of fans remember how Pakistan were sadly knocked out in a now unfortunately famous Imran Nazir over. How was your time as a whole, though, participating in the Hong Kong sixes?

Asad Ali: It was another very good experience; I was slightly nervous because it was my first proper tour but I?m grateful to Shoaib Malik especially, who supported me a lot. His advice was that I should treat this level as if I?m just playing club cricket in my local neighbourhood and to not take any pressure, which really helped me get through it smoothly.


PakPassion.net: Misbah Ul-Haq is the current test captain, and has recently been given the job in ODIs after Shahid Afridi?s retirement. Being your leader at Faisalabad for quite some time, how big a support has he been?

Asad Ali: Misbah bhai has pushed me a lot. I have played under him under Faisalabad and SNGPL. He?s always behaved very well as captain and I always thank him for whatever opportunities I?ve been given such as touring and league cricket - his backing has helped me a great deal along the way. He even says that I am his favourite bowler!


PakPassion.net: Recently there were international camps where you were called up; did the current national coach Waqar Younis or anybody else there give you any useful pointers?

Asad Ali: Misbah bhai and [Mohammad] Hafeez bhai recommended me for inclusion in the camp to Waqar bhai. He [Waqar] appreciated me a lot and told me that I have the potential to go far. Waqar Younis said I had the rare quality to get big cut on the ball and they thought I was a quick learner and after playing more, I could get better and better. He also said that my bowling area was very good and I had potential and that he would work with me later and improve me further. Waqar mentioned a couple of minor areas that I need to work on, but he said that no major changes were needed with my bowling.


PakPassion.net: Your bowling has been likened with that of Mohammad Asif?s, who could also cut the ball a long way. Is the way you have a deceptive seam position like Asif the main base of such comparisons?

Asad Ali: I?m not sure but in the last few years, I?ve certainly heard from a few senior players that I can become another Asif-type bowler. Hopefully I?ll keep improving and get to that stage.


PakPassion.net: What is the current standard like at Faisalabad - are good players coming through the system? What do you think could be done to make cricket there better?

Asad Ali: Inshallah, standards will definitely improve. There are some great clubs and it is improving steadily, we are fortunate enough to have good grounds and good coaches. Young players come and learn a lot here and their cricket is improving. It would be good if PCB gets involved as well again. I think if the PCB starts up the Future Player Academies as it did 2 years ago, then younger players will come through. If they hold academies in our area that will help improve skills for youngsters and we will see more and more bright prospects coming from this region.


PakPassion.net: Finally, there?s a Zimbabwe series coming up as Pakistan?s next assignment, are you hoping for a call up and do you have any targets in mind?

Asad Ali: Of course it is my goal to represent my country and Insh?Allah I will get a chance soon. When it comes, I will put my heart in each performance and play to the best of my ability. I want to play for Pakistan and do my country proud. It's just a question of getting that chance to play for Pakistan.

I?d also like to thank everyone at Pakpassion.net and you Sajid bhai, for coming here and conducting this interview with me, and insh?Allah with the backing of all of my supporters you will see me in action in the near future for Pakistan.

Discuss!