Debut: 2011

Another long-serving and ever-improving member of the side, Asif has been invaluable over the years and played his part in some magnificent victories.

Asif claimed an impressive 2-25 on debut against Surrey Antilles in 2011, and followed this up with 3-23 against Surrey Ovalites two games later, so nearly proving the match-winner but for an umpiring error. His season tailed off somewhat from there and 2012 was a rough year for most players due to poor weather, but in 2013 Asif showed his ability with 12 wickets. The stand-out performance was 3-28 against Merton to turn the game on its head, and this remains arguably his finest effort for the club.

This was also the season his much-maligned batting reached new heights, culminating in a career-best 19 not out on the final day against Carshalton. The following season he built on this by lamping a six over midwicket against Churchleigh, one of the highlights of the season.

Although the wickets hardly flowed in 2015, the economy was noticeably better, and in 2016 he became a key cog in the bowling line up, claiming 10 wickets and pushing his economy down near 4.5 an over. His 3-22 against Addington 1743 was a massive effort in the context of a low-scoring match, and he carried that form into the following season. Although he only played four matches, his wickets came at an average of less than 20 for the first time in his Woodside career, and included his first-ever four-wicket-haul, against Norwood Exhiles in a dominant win.

He backed this up with 4/25 against Bromley Town in 2018, the highlight of a season in which he did not feature too frequently. 2019 was a strong year for Asif, turning in crucial performances in wins against Crusaders, Plastics, Churchleigh and Bromley Town again. He again averaged below 20 and went at barely four-an-over throughout the campaign.

Having relocated to Birmingham, the covid lockdown meant we did not see Asif in 2020 but he was able to make the journey down for two appearances in the Invincibles campaign the following year and excelled in both. His accuracy and guile helped restrict Henfield in a tough game, before claiming a superb 3/38 against Dormansland in the face of an onslaught from their batsmen. His contribution to the unbeaten season may have been limited, but was gargantuan nonetheless and we are excited to see more of him should his availability allow.

Matches: 72
Runs: 84
Wickets: 66

Honours & Achievements:

Invincible (2021)

Squad

Other players

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