Before taking the field for the third match of the series between India and Pakistan in Karachi, Asif had played two Tests, picking up a solitary wicket. However, the third Test proved to be a game-changer, as he displayed his skills against one of the best Test line-ups in the world.

Batting first, the hosts scored 245, with a brilliant 113 from Kamran Akmal after Irfan Pathan had rocked the top-order with a hat-trick in the very first over of the match. In reply, India were all out for 238, with Asif scalping four and Abdul Razzaq picking up three wickets.

Pakistan, who had managed a slender lead of seven runs, ended up giving India a target of 607 runs for a win after Faisal Iqbal scored 139 in 220 deliveries and Mohammad Yousuf chipped in with a 161-ball 97.

On the lookout for a draw, the Indian side had the worst possible start ever as they lost Rahul Dravid within the first five deliveries of the innings. The Indians never could get going thereafter following a spell for the ages by Asif.

The quick first dismissed Virender Sehwag with a delivery that held its line, but the Indian, anticipating an outswinger, was left in two minds as the ball went on to rattle the middle stump. Asif struck again off the first ball of the 13th over, to send back VVS Laxman, which The Cricket Monthly termed as the “Ball of the Century No.2”. The batter, who looked to defend the ball, got in line, bat-pad together, but failed to account for the huge swing that would be generated, as he was left stunned after his stumps were sent cartwheeling. Four overs later, Asif had the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar off a ball that kept low, with the batter looking to play it out on the backfoot, to push India further into trouble.

The side could not recover after being reduced to 72-4 and were bundled out for 265, giving Pakistan a huge win by 341 runs.

Asif later recalled that the match showed the world that he had arrived. “Prior to this Test match I had played two Tests and had bowled poorly, taking only one wicket and the knives were already out despite being only 23 years old and many felt that I wasn’t good enough for international cricket. During that match in Karachi, I took the wickets of Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, VVS Laxman twice, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. I feel that this was the match where I showed everyone what I was capable of and when the world realised that Mohammad Asif had arrived.”

The cricketer went on to play a total of 23 Tests, picking up 106 wickets at an average of 24.36.

Watch the spell by Asif to dismiss Sehwag, Sachin and Laxman here:

16 years ago, this happened in Karachi. A magic spell by Asif. Pakistan won by 341 runs after losing 6 wickets for 39 on the first day. pic.twitter.com/oZcU0p3gr7

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 1, 2022