Young Pakistani and Peshawar Zalmi batsman Haider Ali said that he wants to play with a free mind like his batting idol, India's Rohit Sharma does.

Haider Ali, who is currently playing in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021, played a crucial role for Peshawar Zalmi in their victory over Quetta Gladiators on Friday.

Ali scored 50 off 29 balls as his team chased the mammoth target of 199 runs. The 20-year-old batsman was awarded man of the match for his heroics. 

However, in a post-match interview after Zalmi’s win over Quetta Gladiators in a nail-biting game, Haider Ali said that he wants to emulate Rohit Sharma and wants to be as free-minded as Sharma is. 

Pakistan's U19 star Haider Ali wants to become his country's Rohit Sharma

“My favorite player is Rohit Sharma, I’ve always liked him and want to emulate him, he plays with a free mind and I want to do the same,” Haider Ali said.

Ali said that he tries to make his fans and country proud by giving his 100% in each game.

“Once you play for your country, people’s expectations increase which makes you work even harder and give 100% in each game you play. I try not to disappoint fans who have expectations from me,” he said. 

Haider Ali, who is one of the mainstays of Peshawar Zalmi batting, said that he wants to be among the top five batsmen of the Pakistan Super League. “I want to be the best batsman here and even if I am not, I want to be among the top five batsmen of Pakistan Super League,” said Haider Ali. 

While talking about the victory over Quetta Gladiators, Haider Ali credited the whole team and said that it was a collective effort. 

“Everyone contributed to the win. Imam scored in the start, Shoaib Malik chipped-in in the middle, and then towards the end, it was Rutherford who did it for us. So it was a collective effort,”  he concluded. 

Haider Ali has represented Pakistan in 10 T20Is and 2 ODIs. 

(GEO TV inputs)