Tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif revealed that he sought inspiration from the life of Nelson Mandela during his time in prison in England.
Asif’s five-year spot-fixing ban ended on September 1, was cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to resume his career along with Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir, the other players convicted in the 2010 scandal.
He said the last five-year of his life have been very harsh and very hard for him. The toughest part of it was that he couldn’t enter the grounds that he have played cricket all his life on and go out there and play a sport that he have always loved and have a passion for.
“My family offered me a lot of support during these tough times particularly when I was serving time in prison in the United Kingdom.” Asif told the Telegraph in an interview.
The 32-year-old fast bowler played 23 Tests and 38 ODIs for Pakistan, said he found an ally in Butt during his time in prison but South African leader Mandela was his motivation while he was barred.
“I never thought that one day I would be sat in a prison cell. I just wanted to get that tough period of my life over with and move forward. Nelson Mandela is someone who also had to go to prison and he got through that difficult time and he was my inspiration when I was in prison.”
“My fitness is fine and I weigh exactly what I did five years ago before I was banned. Mentally I am ready for a return to cricket but I have to be realistic and take things one step at a time.”
“Realistically, though, my target for a return to international cricket is the series in England next year and that is a target I have set myself.”
