Srinagar: Pakistan’s explosive power hitting batter Asif Ali has revealed that he always keeps himself ready to play a finishers role for the team by hitting big sixes.
During ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 one of the highlights of Pakistan near succesful campaign was Asif Ali’s ferocious power-hitting that took Pakistan out of a precarious situation twice, sealing thrilling wins on both occasions.
Following a perfect 10-wicket win over India, Pakistan found themselves in a spot of bother with 48 needed off 31 with half of their batters back in the pavilion. Asif Ali carved Trent Boult through point and smashed Tim Southee for back-to-back sixes two overs later. The onslaught would see Pakistan finish the game in the penultimate over with Asif smashing Boult for a six down long-on, putting the iconic Sharjah Stadium on fire and stealing a double on the next ball.
The strong right-handed batter came to Pakistan’s rescue the very next match again on their course to 148-run target against Afghanistan in Dubai. After having lost Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik in a span of six balls and the tide turning in favour of Afghanistan, Pakistan required 24 off 12. Asif, not one to take things deep, smacked Karim Jannat for four sixes to once again close the match for his side in the penultimate over.
“It would be the one against New Zealand,” Asif told PCB Digital. “I was under pressure coming into the match as I had not been able to perform in the previous series and we were in a tough situation. I was hit on my head [by a Southee bouncer] and was feeling a bit dizzy. But, I told myself that I am here; fine and alive. No matter what, I will deliver for my team.”
Asif emerged on the domestic scene in Faisalabad, his name became synonymous with long, towering sixes. His ability to deposit bowlers from any length far beyond the boundary would turn him into a local legend.
“I try to hit 100 to 150 sixes in my practice sessions so I am ready to hit sixes in the match.” Asif Ali revealed.
Asif was a known professional tape-ball cricketer in Faisalabad and the teams would pay him to travel and represent them in different tournaments across the country.
“It [batting in tapeball cricket] is the best practice for hard-hitting,” he says, “As the ball swings and there is late swing as well. You need to have impeccable balance and head position with pretty still feet to counter it. It also helps in developing a good bat speed. Even today, when I go home, I play tape-ball cricket.”
After the T20 World Cup last year, there will be expectations from Asif to replicate those remarkable cameos when he walks out in the middle in the upcoming ACC T20 Asia Cup in the same country.
Courtesy PCB