Mohammad Asif (cricketer)
A Pakistani fast bowler whose masterful seam and swing bowling briefly promised all-time greatness before his career was cut short by scandal.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Pakistani former cricketer·Birthday: December 20·Millennials
Biography
Mohammad Asif possessed an almost magical control over the cricket ball, able to make it dart and seam on command, troubling the world's best batsmen with his guile. Emerging from a small village, he rose rapidly through Pakistan's domestic circuit, becoming a central figure in their attack. His peak was a spellbinding performance at The Oval in 2010, where his swing bowling dismantled England. However, his career is permanently shadowed by his involvement in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal during Pakistan's tour of England. Alongside teammates Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir, he was convicted of conspiracy to cheat and accept corrupt payments, leading to a lengthy ban from cricket and prison time. His story remains one of immense, unfulfilled potential.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Mohammad was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mohammad Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Mohammad's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Took 106 Test wickets at an impressive average of 24.36, including seven five-wicket hauls.
- Was the joint-leading wicket-taker in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, helping Pakistan reach the final.
- Delivered a famous match-winning spell of 6 for 41 against England at The Oval in 2010.
- Achieved a career-best Test bowling figure of 7 for 77 against Sri Lanka in Kandy in 2006.
Did You Know?
He was a latecomer to professional cricket, not playing with a proper leather ball until he was nearly 20.
He modeled his bowling action on that of legendary Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram.
Before his ban, he was ranked the number two Test bowler in the world in 2007.
He worked as a bowling coach for the Pakistan Super League team Multan Sultans after his ban expired.
“The ball should talk, not the bowler.”
