Hasan Ali took 13 wickets in Pakistan's victorious Champions Trophy campaign.
Hasan Ali's rise as a cricket in the last year and a half has been very much the reason for Pakistan's improved performance in the same time frame as well.
Having done well so far in his career and helping Pakistan win an ICC title in the form of the Champions Trophy, Hasan Ali is taking it upon himself to lead Pakistan to World Cup glory in 2019.
Having mastered the art of bowling in ODI cricket, Hasan has age on his side to become one of the greats with the ball in this game. Along with his excellent wicket-taking abilities, his style of celebration has become a big hit. It’s a two-fold thing, in which he imitates an explosion, pumping the blasting machine leading up to the big burst.
“I did play kabaddi for some time. Cricket is everywhere in Pakistan but Gujranwala its famous for wrestling. I had a lot of interest in kabbadi but then cricket became my first love,” said Hasan in a chat with Wisden India.
“My brother built a pitch inside our house and wanted me to be serious in cricket as he felt that I could make it big,” recalled Hasan. “I am thankful to him for his support and any time I needed encouragement, he was the man to go to for me" added Ali.
PSL was another important part of his short career. It was there that he started working with Andy Flower at Peshawar Zalmi who sharpened his skills.
Although he did not get much success, from Andy Flower, the chief coach, to Mohammad Akram, the assistant coach, to Shahid Afridi, the captain, everyone was singing his praises by the end of it.
“I liked his wrist position, his seam presentation and the hunger to do well, which means that he is not shy of hard work,” said Akram. “He is not scared of doing new things and is a good learner and I knew that he can go places.”
Building up on his good performances, Hasan Ali came up with a good performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 where he finished as the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 13 wickets.
Speaking on his role as the leading bowler of his team, Ali said "It’s my job to take wickets and do hard work. You have to contest with the best in the world so hard work is a must,” he said. “Look at world’s leading batsmen, how they work hard; so it’s imperative that we bowlers counter them".
He concluded his chat with Wisden highlighting his plans for the next big ICC event in 2019 where he said that he wants to win the cup for his team.
“I have won the Champions Trophy, so now I want to win the World Cup for my country and become the best bowler,” concluded Hasan Ali.