Pakistan pace bowler Hassan Ali has been rested for the first T20 International of the three-match T20I series against England starting on Friday (July 16) at Trent Bridge.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced Hassan's unavailability for the first T20I against England by saying the star speedster has been rested as a precautionary measure after picking up a strain in his left leg during a training session at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
A decision on Hassan's further availability will be made after assessments ahead of the second T20I on July 18 against England. The third and final T20I will be played on 20 July in Old Trafford.
The PCB stated, “The fast bowler will now be assessed ahead of the second T20I, following which a decision on his participation will be made.”
Notably, Ali was part of the Pakistan team that was whitewashed by the second-string England team in a three-match ODI series – where the pacer returned with a five-wicket haul in the second ODI – his first ODI fifer since 2017 – but managed only one wicket in the final ODI in Birmingham.
The 27-year-old pacer has been a leading bowler in all three formats of the game for Pakistan since his comeback early this year after a spate of injuries kept him out of the team since the World Cup 2019 – for nearly 20 months.
(With PTI Inputs)
