Asif reveals how he ‘amazed’ Wasim Akram in nets

• “He asks me how many balls I would take to get the batsman out. I said, third ball I'll hit the stumps,” says the 37-year-old.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif in an interview revealed that how he managed to amaze the legendary Wasim Akram during a net session.

Recalling his career highlights during an interview with ESPN Cricinfo, the 37-year-old recalled an interaction with Wasim Akram, who is one of the greats of all time.

“One time I was bowling in the nets at Gaddafi Stadium and Wasim Akram was there,” he told Cricinfo. “He asks me how many balls I would take to get the batsman out. I said, third ball I'll hit the stumps.”

“The batsman was a lefty and he let my first two balls go, which were outswingers, and then he left the third one as well - but his stumps went flying, because this one came in, and I looked at Wasim and saw the amazement on his face.”

Asif’s career was cut short following spot-fixing scandal which shook the pillars of Pakistan cricket. The guilty trio – Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif – were handed lengthy bans in 2010. Only Amir managed to make his way back into the Pakistan side.

The tainted cricketer, who has now moved to USA, also said he don’t miss cricket, but regret that his career ended in a bad way.

“Of course. My ambition was to finish my career on a better note and I do have regrets. But that's a different story. I think whatever happened it had to happen and that's okay. Everyone has regrets in their life and a few want to talk about them, but I think I am fine. Everyone makes mistakes and I did too.”

Many batsman still remark him being the toughest bowler they faced in their career, and Asif is proud of what he did on the pitch against opponents.

“Even today, so many years later, the best batsmen in the world still remember me and they talk about me. Just think how big the impact was that I had on the world. So this is what makes me proud - that there is a reason KP, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla talk highly about me. That is what makes me happy.”