Haider Ali Has A Bright Future And The Ability To Play All Formats For Pakistan: Younis Khan

Haider Ali is one of the upcoming stars in the Pakistan team with a prolific record in the domestic circuit. The 19-year-old also made it to Pakistan’s Test squad against England; however, could not get his maiden Test cap.

However, there remains a realistic possibility of Haider Ali debuting in the upcoming T20 series, commencing from Friday. Meanwhile, batting coach Younis Khan has heaped praises on him.

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Haider Ali shot into the limelight through his impressive outing in Pakistan’s first-class competition, PSL, and the U-19 World Cup this year. In the 2019-20 first-class season, Haider smacked 645 runs at 49.62 while managing 239 runs in the PSL 2020, striking at 158.27 for Peshawar Zalmi. The teen prodigy’s 14 sixes were also the highest by any batsman from his team.

Younis Khan, who is Pakistan’s highest run-getter in Tests, lauded Haider Ali’s work ethic and skills that spells a bright future for him while having the will to keep learning. Younis backs himself to play all the formats for Pakistan and would showcase his skill when given a chance.

“Haider has that will and skill which turn a youngster into a good player. He has that spark and he is always eager to learn. I believe he is an upcoming star of Pakistan and he will perform whenever he gets a chance.

“He is strong and his fitness is improving day-by-day. He has a bright future and the ability to play all formats for Pakistan,” the former right-handed batsman stated as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

The former Pakistan skipper further said that his cover drives are as radiant as that of Babar Azam’s, praising his initial movement and approach towards the ball. The 42-year-old added that he has been working with Haider to refine his cut and pull shots, which are high-scoring at the international level.

“He plays well-calculated cover drives, quite like Babar Azam’s which are world renowned. I like his initial movement and the way he approaches the ball. He plays solid cover drives.

“I have worked with him on making his base strong and have been working with him on cut and pull shots, which are high scoring shots in international cricket,” Younis added.

Being in the Pakistan dressing room is altogether different experience: Haider Ali

The prolific middle-order batsman stated that as his first tour, he feels thoroughly excited to be part of Pakistan’s dressing room. While he has share dressing rooms before, Haider Ali claims nothing equates to be part of the national team’s. He added that he spent plenty of time in the nets practising the cover drive as it is his favourite shot.

“This is my first tour and though I have shared dressing room with established cricketers in the HBL PSL 2020, being in the Pakistan dressing room is altogether a difference experience. I did not get to bat much in matches during my club cricket days.

“I used to spend a lot of time in nets and focused on cover drives as it is my favourite shot. That practice helped me improve this shot,” the 19-year-old conceded.

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