Pakistan cricket has produced some of the finest bowlers in the history of the game, but only one has managed to earn significant praise from one of the greatest batters ever, after AB de Villiers named Mohammad Asif in his all-time XI.
The former South African captain revealed his personal list of cricketing greats during the ongoing World Championship of Legends 2025, where he is currently leading the South Africa Champions side.
What stood out most wasn’t the star-studded lineup, but the presence of Asif among names that have defined generations of international cricket. In a bowling unit that includes Mitchell Johnson, Shane Warne, and Muttiah Muralitharan, the inclusion of Asif is a powerful endorsement of skill over statistics, and the South African’s tribute to Asif’s pure artistry with the ball.
This isn’t even the first time De Villiers has sung Mohammad Asif’s praises. He has constantly mentioned him as one of the toughest bowlers he ever faced during his legendary career, and it shows. Asif has dismissed De Villiers five times in his career, with three wickets coming in Tests and two in ODIs. Interestingly, the South African—considered one of the greatest ever batters—averages just 8.7 runs in Tests against Asif.
Mohammad Asif, whose international career was cut short due to off-field controversies, remains one of cricket’s most discussed “what-ifs.” His numbers are remarkable, but it’s the memory of how he made the ball move that still resonates with those who witnessed his brief but brilliant spell at the top. From Rahul Dravid to Hashim Amla, many top-order batters of the era have described facing Asif as one of the toughest challenges of their careers.
| Graeme Smith | Matthew Hayden | Ricky Ponting | Virat Kohli |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | Kane Williamson | MS Dhoni (wk) | Mitchell Johnson |
| Mohammad Asif | Muttiah Muralitharan | Shane Warne |
As for Asif, this gesture—years after his exit from international cricket—may not rewrite history, but it reaffirms what many insiders and analysts have long said: that when it came to the art of swing bowling, few, if any, could match him.
And sometimes, being remembered by your peers says more than any stat ever could.