Pakistan’s bowling coach Waqar Younis has on Wednesday (February 10) heaped praise on Hasan Ali, who had been battling injury problems for nearly three years, after the pacer made a remarkable comeback and led the side to historic Test series win over South Africa at home.
In the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy in England, Hasan emerged as a Pakistan hero but then the speedster suffered several injures – groin, back, ribs and it seemed he had almost lost his cricketing career, but he never gave up and made a brilliant comeback in the recent Quaid-e-Azam Trophy to earn his Pakistan place back despite losing his central contract.
In the recent two-match Test series against South Africa, Ali has scalped 4 wickets in the first Test to help Pakistan beat the tourists by 7 wickets.
Well, the pacer returned even more dangerous in Rawalpindi to pick a match-winning ten-wicket haul in the second Test to guide Pakistan to their first Test series win 2-0 over South Africa since 2003 last week.
Following his incredible comeback at the highest level following so many injuries, Waqar lauded Hasan by saying his story can be a great inspiration for young fast bowlers to not give up on anything.
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As per reports in ESPNCricinfo, Younis said: “Hasan is a great character. He was coming from injury and the way he performed, hats off to him. This must not be forgotten that Hasan got so much success at a very early age but then was suddenly plunged into oblivion due to injury and was in a very tough situation.
I can tell you from my own personal experience from the 1992 World Cup - it really hurts. It feels like the end of the world because you have seen such highs in your career and then when you see absolutely nothing, it's very, very hard.”
The bowling coach continued, “Hasan is doing a wonderful job. I have seen him in tough times being injured and struggling, but the best thing is he never gave up. He bowled really well [in the Rawalpindi Test].
From my playing experience, or even from watching Wasim Akram or any other big successful bowler, I can tell that if you want to pick up fast bowling, you have to know that such injuries will come in your way.
Fast bowling isn't a natural act. It puts a lot of burden on your body and you have to be strong physically and mentally.”
Former pacer lauded Ali for his hard work by saying, “I have seen Hasan do all the hard work, the work he put into his recovery, getting fitter, playing first-class cricket, and reviving himself again. He is fitter than ever and of course, he played a big hand in winning the series [against South Africa] with support from others: Shaheen [Shah Afridi] and Yasir [Shah] bowled well, Nauman [Ali] was brilliant and Faheem Ashraf was excellent in our pack of bowlers.
They all did their job and this 2-0 is massive because South Africa is a big team to have toured Pakistan and winning against them is a big achievement. His comeback is a great message for the young fast bowlers out there that where there is a will there's a way to make a comeback.”
He also hopes that Pakistan fast bowlers will have lengthy careers with success since they have now started playing at home while admitting the injuries plays a huge role in a bowler’s career.
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Younis further explained, “A fast bowler's career can surely go on for five to seven years. Maybe longer. Neither I nor Wasim or Shoaib played for their whole life. It's a circle and new players come in replacing the previous ones. Look at Hasan Ali's comeback strongly and he earned his place.
Sometimes injuries play a major part. Even Pat Cummins or Jasprit Bumrah and few others in other countries, they all have had their fair share of injuries in their career but they came back after rehabilitation with full fitness and they are staying relevant with their performance.”
He signed off by saying “I am hopeful now that we have started playing at home, you will see this present lot of fast bowlers will have lengthy careers with success. If you see, most of the bowlers do well in their own conditions. I feel they are more comfortable bowling at home.”
(ESPNCricinfo inputs)
