LAHORE: Seam legend Mohammad Asif has criticised former teammate and fast bowler Mohammad Amir for calling an early Test retirement at a time when the team needed him the most. In an interview to a cricket website on Monday, Asif said that it was Amir’s obligations help the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as he was granted a second shot following the 2010 spot fixing scandal – a luxury not given to him. “I curse the PCB for how they rescued his career. It was his obligation to help Pakistan cricket in a tough situation and he should have stayed, especially when they had helped him return,” Asif said. Furthermore, the cricketer spoke of his mistreatment by the board and how he was robbed of another chance despite his world class talent. Asif reasoned that the PCB gave selective treatment to Amir as he claimed that corrupt cricketers were either still in the national fold or were working with the board. Replying to a question about any regrets about the way his career ended, he said his ambition was to finish his career on a better note and he does have regrets. “But that’s a different story. Everyone makes mistakes and I did too. Players had been indulging in fixing before me and even after me. But those before me are working with PCB and there are few after me still playing,” he said. “Everyone was given a second chance and there are few who never got the same treatment (as me). The PCB never tried to save me regardless of the fact that I am the kind of bowler who was highly regarded by everyone in the world. But anyway I’m not sitting around brooding about the past or hung up on it.” Asif could have established himself as a genuine legend if his controversies hadn’t overshadowed and then cut short his career. Asif said he could have ended up with a different standing without the controversies, but he was still somewhere with whatever he had done. “Yes, I should have behaved better off the field. That is where I had issues. But I didn’t die of hunger then and I’m not going to die of hunger now either.” Asif said he wanted to give the kids this message that when one crossed the boundary line into the field, one’s ambition should be to do well for himself and for your team. “And when you cross the rope back towards the dressing room, you should go in with your head held high and no doubts about your performance. And even if you didn’t get a wicket, your figures should be good enough for people to acknowledge your contribution and effort.” Meanwhile, Asif reflected over his limited career and said that despite his short run, he managed to “shake up the world” as other cricket greats such as AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla still have fond memories of him.