Asif vs Akhtar

[Adorable Asshole]

Akhtar took 178 wickets in 82 innings @25.7 and 45.7
Asif took 106 wickets in 44 innings @24.4 and 48.8

 

[smash84]

both were un(your username)

 

[Adorable Asshole]

both were un(your username)

Who was better (my username) ?

 

[subshakerz]

Asif when he first started was an an absolute demon. But he got injured and when he returned in late 2009 he had lost his pace and was only really troubling on seaming decks. But a really intelligent bowler and a big loss for cricket.

But I went for Shoaib. When he became a proper opening bowler from 2002 to 2007, he averaged something like 18 in a batting friendly era. Including three fifers against an ATG Aussie lineup and he had the unique ability to take the pitch out of the equation.

 

[CricAddict]

I too went for Akhtar, asshole. Just turned heads everywhere with his bowling and never compromised on his pace.

 

[Migara]

Went for Asif. He was the next proper ATG between McGrath, Steyn and Cummins.

Becoming one was not in his mind though.

 

[smash84]

Went with Asif. He was arguably the most skillful fast bowler that I have ever seen with the possible exception of Akram. By skillful I mean having a wizardry with the ball and moving it around.

 

[mr_mister]

We need an Asif vs Bond what if topic

 

[Burgey]

Couple of fellas who always put in maximum effort, this match up

 

[_00_deathscar]

Ahktar.

 

[honestbharani]

Couple of fellas who always put in maximum effort, this match up

TBF, Akhtar is just an idiot who is full of himself, which is pretty common among elite sportspeople. Asif is the cheat.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Akhtar every day of the week. Special guy, could blast you out on a road as much as on a greentop. Asif was great but not as all-conditions destructive.

We need an Asif vs Bond what if topic

If we're talking Tests then it's no comparison

 

[subshakerz]

Went with Asif. He was arguably the most skillful fast bowler that I have ever seen with the possible exception of Akram. By skillful I mean having a wizardry with the ball and moving it around.

The one tests that best exemplifies the difference in their methods was in Port Elizabeth in 2007. Asif took a 5fer in the second innings that was true mastery and carefully prised out each scalp with torturous examination of their techniques. Do watch it, it was mesmerizing.

Yet in the first innings, it was Shoaib who set up the game by ripping out the top order in no time with a manic intimidatory spell, and then in typical fashion getting injured for the rest of the match.

 

[subshakerz]

I too went for Akhtar, asshole. Just turned heads everywhere with his bowling and never compromised on his pace.

Shoaib 2004/5 onwards was actually a much improved bowler. His 2005 series in which he mixed fearsome pace with clever use of the slower ball and steady spells was a sight to see and showed that he had nous and not only one mode of attack.

 

[_00_deathscar]

Akhtar was a seriously scary bowler (once he figured out good control). It’s a shame we saw so little of him, relatively speaking.

 

[Xuhaib]

Asif when he started was magic.He was on track to be next all time great, 130-140kmph with seam movement both ways along with nagging accuracy and bowling acumen of Shane Warne. His 2006-2007 period is one of my favourite era of cricket watching. The way he would examine some real all time great batsmen before knocking them over was a sight never to forget, however then he did his elbow that needed surgery and also got banned for first time for 1 year due to carrying drugs on a flight to dubai (how stupid one can be).

When he returned he was still quite good but the reduction in pace to 125-132 meant he was giving batsman a little bit extra time to tackle him and usually would need some help from the conditions to get his scalps.

So overall it's Akhtar for me but that first 12 month period of Asif is arguably the best bowling period I have seen from a Pakistani pacer in my cricket watching and I have seen peak Waqar and Wasim.

 

[Adorable Asshole]

prime asif > prime akram

This

 

[Prince EWS]

Asif when he started was magic.He was on track to be next all time great, 130-140kmph with seam movement both ways along with nagging accuracy and bowling acumen of Shane Warne. His 2006-2007 period is one of my favourite era of cricket watching. The way he would examine some real all time great batsmen before knocking them over was a sight never to forget, however then he did his elbow that needed surgery and also got banned for first time for 1 year due to carrying drugs on a flight to dubai (how stupid one can be).

When he returned he was still quite good but the reduction in pace to 125-132 meant he was giving batsman a little bit extra time to tackle him and usually would need some help from the conditions to get his scalps.

So overall it's Akhtar for me but that first 12 month period of Asif is arguably the best bowling period I have seen from a Pakistani pacer in my cricket watching and I have seen peak Waqar and Wasim.

Yeah I think peak Asif was the best year or so I've bowling I've ever seen from anyone, regardless of nationality. Mitch Johnson late career god mode a close second.

 

[Xuhaib]

Yeah I think peak Asif was the best year or so I've bowling I've ever seen from anyone, regardless of nationality. Mitch Johnson late career god mode a close second.

Yeah after his injury and first ban he went from a bowling god to a peak Mohammad Abbas.

 

[Everton Seymour]

This is a tough one both fantastic to watch for very different reasons, Shoaib Akhtar has my vote for pure entertainment.. Can't buy pace but you can buy Asif .