I have Asif's standardised averaged below 18, which is mental. If he had a proper career he'd have almost certainly been in ATG territory IMO, but he didn't and unlike Procter or even Bond it's entirely his fault.
Yes it's definitely his fault. But now we're not comparing him with ATGs. We're comparing with him Akhtar, who's not bad ofc. But to me that's worse than selecting Anderson over someone like Holding
Yeah Akhtar didn't exactly have a full career either.
Yup, he couldn't even get fit enough to bowl a full match at times, let alone a series. Both were great on flat wickets, but Asif just a level above there as well. Had more match winning performances in his short career as well
The low sample size team of Adcock, Asif and Larwood would look good together
same reason Barry was voted ahead of Gooch, FC superiority
But Asif had a clearly better test career though in this case. And accounting for how flat those Pakistani 2000s wkts were, there must not be a huge difference in their FC performances
1930s England wickets were among the flattest in history given it didn't rain, also Larwood has Barry-esque reputation and FC careers, this logic wasn't deployed for Gooch or Turner vs Barry, I don't see why it's being deployed now.
I'm not Saying Larwood didn't have a better FC career than Asif did. Barry has basically no test sample size so it's a bit different. And he was great if you include WSC. But for guys with a lower test sample size like Larwood and Asif, there's some sample there. Asif does have 100 test wkts and crucial performances in wins vs top teams. So that weighs heavier than FC, whilst being exceptional in FC. Also, Gooch and Greenidge aren't far behind Barry for me either
There's zero valid or relevant sample for Larwood, he was a young bowler who had played 12 Tests who was trying to find his line and length, 1930 Ashes he was injured/ill in, 1932-33 is the infamous bodyline. Asif's sample is different.
Why are his 15 games vs Australia not relevant?
poor health in 3 and people are iffy on Bodyline.
I'm counting bodyline tbh, which is a big positive.
well without the 1930 Ashes he averages 25 in Test Cricket, but I'll admit he didn't really find consistency in Test Cricket until Bodyline.
I think Tate should make it before Asif.