Ignored for PSL, Muhammad Asif to Play Tennis Ball 10PL Tournament

After being ignored for the national side and the PSL franchises, Muhammad Asif will now be featuring in a 10PL tennis ball cricket tournament in Dubai.

Muhammad Asif, who has played 23 Tests, 38 ODIs and 11 T20Is for Pakistan, will represent Shehenshah Warriors.

A total of 16-teams will feature in the second edition of the tournament to be held in Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

The 10PL tournament is said to follow a knock-out format.

Speaking about the tournament, Asif said:

I have played this form of cricket a lot on the streets of Pakistan. Almost all of us have learnt a lot by playing this brand of cricket. I am hoping to pass on my experience to the rest of the squad and along the way, gain a lot myself. I cannot wait to get back on the field at the Sharjah stadium.

Possible Global Event?

Ever since the arrival of T20 format, cricket has become more glamorous but at a cost of the game becoming more commercial. Cricketers are playing more games in different parts of the world and earning more money than ever before.

Seeing this as an opportunity, sponsors and advertisers can attract the attention of players by naming the right price and promising the right stage.

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The tennis cricket tournament is also gaining more popularity with each passing day and likes of Sri Lanka’s Thilan Thushara and Chamara Silva also interested in playing the tournament.

Former Rajasthan Royals fast bowler, Kamran Khan, is also keen on featuring in the tournament.

End of Asif’s Career?

Asif’s international career came to a crashing end after he was found guilty of spot-fixing during a Test series against England in 2010. Two years later, in 2012, and following his arrest, Asif was released from HM Prison Canterbury.

Following his return to Pakistan, Asif was given a chance in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy where he was joined by Salman Butt, who was also looking to right his wrongs.

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Despite delivering occasional decent performances, both players were struggled to perform consistently and were overlooked in for selection in the national team and in Pakistan’s domestic T20 league.

Both players raised their voices against the double standards of the selection committee, after Muhammad Amir was selected for the national team and PSL.

However, their efforts were all in vain as PCB did not respond to their public outcry, which only meant one thing; end of their international careers.

With Asif playing a tennis ball tournament at the age of 35, this seems to be the final nail in the coffin of Asif’s career altogether.