Tall, well built, with a bushy moustache and dark, flowing hair, Asif Masood was a right-arm fast-medium bowler, hostile with the new ball and memorable for a bizarre start to his run-up in which he turned sideways to the wickets and leaned backwards before starting his approach. He relied mainly on varying his angle of attack and an ability to swing and seam the ball. He made his Test debut against England in 1968-69, and was a fairly permanent member of the side in the next seven years, touring England and Australia (both twice). He played 16 Tests, with a best return of 5 for 111 at Edgbaston in 1971.