No one is better than me with the new ball, says Pakistani seamer Mohammad Asif

New Delhi: Pakistan's tainted seamer, Mohammad Asif has come out with a bold claim – labeling himself as the best bowler with the new ball in Test cricket.

The 33-year-old claimed that his ability to cause maximum damage with the shiny part of the red ball has been his greatest strength.

“If you waste the new ball than you are asking for trouble. In Test cricket in particular, no matter what the opposition or conditions, you have to make the new ball count. No one knows the art of exploiting the new ball better than me,” Asif was quoted saying in a PTI report.

Asif made his comeback from 5-year long spot-fixing ban, picked up 4 for 29, including three with the new ball at the day and night Quaid-Azam Trophy final at the National stadium.

Asif has also reiterated desire to resume national duty and claims that he is not concerned with his age and fitness as far as continuing on-field career is concerned.

“All this talk about fitness and age I don’t believe in that particularly when you have a 40 plus player in the national Test side and some in the late thirties.”

“People say spinners mature with age and I believe it is the same with pace bowlers, they also become better and more lethal with age and experience,” he said.

“You can’t even play in domestic cricket if you are not fit.”

As present, Pakistan’s Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq is 42 and Younis Khan is close to 38.

(With PTI inputs)