Hasan Ali, Pakistan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh, Carlos Braithwate
Hasan Ali. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Things have turned pretty quickly for Hasan Ali, unfortunately for the worse. Ali was on top of the world when Pakistan won the Champions Trophy final in June 2017 defeating arch-rivals India in England. Two years later, in June 2019, in England, against India, the pacer appeared for the last time hitherto for Pakistan.

Dramatically, Hasan lost his place in the side after being the leading wicket-taker and the Man of the Tournament in the 2017 Champions Trophy. Hasan’s selling point of picking wickets in the middle-overs faded away, his wickets column diminished drastically.

In ODIs in 2017, Hasan’s dream year, he averaged a terrific 17 with the ball, which rose to a mediocre 34 in 2018. Finally, he was dropped from the team never to be picked again when his bowling average escalated to a horrible 89.29 in 2019.

Hasan Ali
Hassan Ali. Credit: Twitter

Injuries, off-field issues, and poor form forced him out of the team. Hasan reveals that he had cried when the national team was playing while he was in rehab.

As quoted by Cricket Pakistan, Hasan Ali said, “Obviously it was a difficult time for me considering that I was a permanent member of the side and then suddenly had to sit out for around one and a half years. I still remember the time when Sri Lanka was playing T20Is at Gaddafi Stadium and I was doing my rehab at NCA, I almost had tears in my eyes as I was unable to play for the national side. It was disappointing but this is part of life as there are ups and downs in cricket.

I’m ready to represent Pakistan again: Hasan Ali

Hasan is young and has age on his side to make a comeback. The 26-year-old is currently leading Central Punjab in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. He is vying for a comeback in the national setup in all three formats for the upcoming home series against South Africa.

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The right-arm pacer has snared 42 wickets at an average of 18.95, leading his team to the final, and clearly has worked on his fitness and form. Pakistan will Quinton de Kock’s side for 2 Tests and 3 T20Is starting January 26.

Hasan Ali
Hasan Ali. Credits: Getty Images

“I’m trying to make a comeback in the national side so it was important that I perform well on the field as well as show that I’m completely fit. I’m ready to represent the national team and it’s now up to the selectors and team management as to whether they have faith in me for the South Africa series. My fitness is good and I have performed well on dry pitches of Karachi, which don’t offer much help to the fast-bowlers,” he added.

“I’m still young and ready to play all three formats of the game. Injuries are part of a cricketer’s career and especially fast-bowlers. It is now up to the team management to decide my role in the national side,” he further said.

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