Ramiz Raja: I Was Surprised When Bob Woolmer Predicted Mohammad Asif Would Become A Great Bowler

Woolmer's revelation about Asif's bowling speed surprised me, but Asif later became an outstanding bowler through his line and length, says the former cricketer. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Sep, 2026) During commentary on the first day of the second Test between Pakistan and England at Lord's, former captain Ramiz Raja made an interesting revelation, saying former coach Bob Woolmer had made a major prediction about Mohammad Asif. According to Ramiz Raja, he was with Bob Woolmer when he saw Mohammad Asif for the first time. At that time, Asif had not played a single match for Pakistan. Bob Woolmer introduced me to him and said that Mohammad Asif would become a great bowler in the future. Ramiz Raja said his first question to Bob Woolmer was about Asif's speed. Woolmer told him that Asif was bowling at approximately 130 kilometres per hour at the time. I was surprised because Pakistan had always been known for fast bowlers. I asked how he could be a fast bowler then. Ramiz Raja said Mohammad Asif later became an outstanding bowler because of his line and length, but they were accustomed to seeing speeds of 90 miles per hour, so watching that kind of bowling felt unusual. Ramiz Raja said he had been part of teams that destroyed opposing sides through sheer pace Reverse swing, yorkers and bouncers at 95 miles per hour were the basic elements of their bowling.