Tag: Hasan Ali

Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali has revealed the heartfelt story behind his now-iconic phrase “King kar lega,” a line that has resonated deeply with fans and become a symbol of support for star batter Babar Azam.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with a local sports platform, Hasan shared the emotional significance behind the catchphrase and reflected on Babar’s journey as a player, leader, and figure of inspiration.

“The phrase ‘King kar lega’ didn’t just come from my mouth, it came straight from my heart,” Hasan said, adding that the words carried more than just encouragement; they stemmed from a place of admiration.

The pacer, who debuted alongside Babar Azam in 2016, praised his former captain’s consistency and class across formats, calling him the finest batter of this generation.

“Babar has proven with both his performance and attitude that he is the best batter of this era,” Hasan remarked.

“We all gave him the title of ‘King’. Even though he couldn’t win a trophy, he still ranks among Pakistan’s greatest captains.”

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Delving deeper into his affection for the batter, Hasan Ali highlighted the universal respect Babar commands across the cricketing world.

“That line came straight from the heart, not just the tongue. Even legends like Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Joe Root admire his batting,” he added.

“If you ask fans whether Babar’s cover drive is better than Kohli’s, many would back Babar.”

Reflecting on their shared journey in international cricket, Hasan spoke warmly about Babar’s evolution, from a promising youngster to the face of Pakistan cricket.

“Babar and I made our debuts around the same time. I’ve seen him grow, score runs, and put in the hard work. He truly is the king of Pakistan cricket,” Hasan concluded.

READ: Pakistan batter questions exclusion of Hasan Ali from T20I squad

Pakistan middle-order batter Sohaib Maqsood has expressed surprise over the omission of pacer Hasan Ali from the squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.

Earlier this week, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-member squad for the T20I series, which is set to begin on July 20 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

While several new faces were included, the absence of Hasan Ali raised eyebrows, particularly given his recent form.

Vice-captain Shadab Khan and pacer Haris Rauf were unavailable due to injuries, which opened the door for fresh inclusions.

However, Hasan’s name was missing from the list, prompting a reaction from Maqsood on the social media platform X.

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“I’m totally in favor of the changes made for the Bangladesh tour. Earlier, we used to complain that no one gets a chance, so how would we build bench strength? Now that different new players are getting opportunities, suddenly everyone has issues,” Maqsood wrote.

“Only Hasan Ali’s exclusion is surprising; he made a comeback after a long time, had a great series, and now he’s been rested again. Apart from that, it’s always good to try new faces in the T20 format,” he added.

Hasan Ali is currently representing Birmingham Bears in the ongoing Vitality Blast in England.

The right-arm pacer has been in excellent form, picking up 21 wickets in just nine games at an impressive average of 13.38.

The Pakistan squad is set to arrive in Bangladesh on July 16, with the three T20Is scheduled for July 20, 22, and 24, all to be played in Dhaka.

Pakistan squad for Bangladesh T20I series

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Sufyan Moqim.

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Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali has shared his excitement after being named in the Adelaide Strikers squad for the Big Bash League (BBL) 15. 

Hasan, who will feature in the marquee league for the first time, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his excitement.

“Super excited to represent @StrikersBBL in #BBL15, Can’t wait to get started. Australia, see you soon!” he wrote.

Pacer Hasan Ali, who returned to the Pakistan team after an injury in the series against Bangladesh, has been in red-hot form with the ball. The Gujranwala-born pacer has picked up eight wickets in three matches.

The 30-year-old currently playing for the Birmingham Bears in the T20 blast has scalped 11 wickets in five matches so far, including a terrific six-wicket haul.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan’s gap in the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) from November to February provides their top cricketers a window of opportunity to participate in the BBL 15.

For the unversed, the BBL 15 Draft, held in Melbourne on Thursday, saw six of the eight franchises show interest in Pakistan’s top players, with five national stars eventually earning contracts.

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Star batter Babar Azam was pre-signed by the Sydney Sixers ahead of the BBL 15 draft.

Shaheen’s selection as the No. 1 Platinum pick headlines a strong Pakistani presence in the league this season.

In addition to this, Mohammad Rizwan was picked fourth in the Platinum round by Melbourne Renegades. The seasoned wicketkeeper-batter is aiming to make a strong statement ahead of the T20 World Cup next year.

Speedster Haris Rauf, retained by Melbourne Stars, continues his association with the franchise he has served since 2019. Rauf is currently active in the MLC 2025 with San Francisco Unicorns.

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Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali bagged a stunning six-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, to guide Birmingham Bears to a thumping 58-run win over Derbyshire Falcons in the Vitality Blast at Edgbaston on Sunday.

The emphatic result gave the Bears back-to-back home victories and further boosted their campaign as they eye a deep run in the tournament.

Batting first after being put in, Birmingham posted a strong 199 for 6 on the board, thanks to a flying start from openers Tom Latham and Alex Davies.

The duo stitched together a solid 79-run stand, with Latham anchoring the innings with a composed 58 off 42 balls while Davies played the aggressor, smashing 49 off just 29.

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Although Derbyshire pulled things back in the latter half, with Pat Brown picking up 3 for 40, the total proved far too steep.

Derbyshire Falcons never really got going in the chase, folding for 141 in 19.1 overs against a dominant Birmingham Bears.

Their innings unravelled in dramatic fashion early on, with four wickets falling inside the first four overs. Hasan Ali got his first breakthrough by removing David Lloyd, who had threatened briefly with a quick 17.

While Ross Whiteley (50 off 37) and veteran Wayne Madsen (46 off 32) offered some resistance, the Bears kept striking at regular intervals.

Hasan Ali returned in the death overs and produced a dream second spell to dismantle the tail, including a brilliant hat-trick.

He removed Whiteley (caught at long-off), Alex Thomson (caught at mid-on), and Ben Aitchison (bowled) on consecutive deliveries to seal the game in style.

The 30-year-old achieved impressive bowling figures of 6 for 23, marking his career-best in T20 cricket.

Adding to Derbyshire’s woes, George Garton had a night to remember as well. The Bears’ all-rounder equalled the T20 world record for most catches in an innings by a non-wicketkeeper, grabbing five sharp takes.

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Warwickshire County Cricket Club (CCC) has been left disappointed by the surprise inclusion of pacer Hasan Ali in Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing T20I series against Bangladesh.

The 30-year-old, who was expected to rejoin Warwickshire later this month for their T20 Blast campaign, made a return from injury during the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

His 17 wickets in 10 matches for Karachi Kings not only signalled a strong comeback but also earned him a national recall, one that has disrupted Warwickshire’s pre-season plans.

Warwickshire’s Chief Executive, Stuart Cain, didn’t hold back his frustration, stating the club was under the impression that Hasan would not be featuring for Pakistan this summer.

“The Hasan Ali situation is very frustrating. We believed we had assurances he would not be involved with the Pakistan side this summer,” Cain said.

He also touched on the growing challenge of securing overseas players for extended county stints, citing packed international calendars and the financial lure of global T20 leagues.

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“It’s very hard to find players that will both improve the squad and be available for the majority of the summer. In years gone by, it was much easier to get quality overseas players for an entire season, and for season after season,” he added.

Hasan, who first joined Warwickshire in 2023, made an instant impact, picking up 24 wickets in the first half of the County Championship.

But recurring injuries and national duties have restricted his availability in the T20 Blast over the past two seasons.

Warwickshire Head Coach Ian Westwood, speaking to a local news channel, expressed hope that Hasan would bring his PSL form into the Blast once he links up with the squad in June.

“He’s a Bear, he loves it here, and he’s a quality performer in all formats,” Westwood said.

“He did well in the Championship previously, and we know his quality in T20s — both with the new ball and at the death. We’re looking forward to him joining us again.”

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Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed humorously credited his personal training session with Hasan Ali during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 as the reason behind the pacer’s impactful return to international cricket.

Hasan, who returned to Pakistan’s T20I squad after a one-year hiatus, registered his maiden five-wicket haul in the format, helping the home side secure a 37-run win over Bangladesh in the series opener at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Soon after the match, Sarfaraz took to Instagram and shared a picture of himself training with Hasan during PSL 10, adding a tongue-in-cheek caption.

“I made you train, and this [comeback] is the result of it, understand, Hasoo,” the former captain posted.

Sarfaraz, who led Hasan during ICC Champions Trophy 2017Quetta Gladiators’ PSL campaign, also praised the pacer’s dedication and resilience throughout his comeback.

“Great comeback Hasso Jani! Your dedication and hard work paid off. Well done, young man. Keep it up,” he wrote.

Sarfaraz Ahmed further congratulated the national team on a strong start to the series and lauded key performers including Shadab Khan, Mohammad Haris, and captain Salman Ali Agha.

“Congratulations Team Pakistan. Good start to the series by the grace of Almighty Allah. Hasan Ali making us proud once again. Shaddy, Agha, Haris — well played boys and good luck for the next two games,” he added.

Pakistan are currently leading the three-match series 1-0. The second T20I will be played at the same venue later today.

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Fast bowler Hasan Ali has declared his goal to help the Pakistan cricket team succeed in next year’s ICC T20 World Cup.

Hasan made a comeback to the national side against Bangladesh in the three-match T20I series opener. He returned with a bang, taking a five-wicket haul in a resounding win for the Green Shirts.

The pacer who last donned Pakistan’s T20I colours in May 2024 against Ireland did not look rusty in the opening game.

During the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) podcast, Hasan shed light on the challenging aspects of his rehab and the technical elements of his bowling.

He also aimed to win a World Cup for Pakistan, set to be played next year in Sri Lanka.

“If you ask me, I want to play for Pakistan in the World Cup and win it for my country. For me, every match is now an opportunity, and I will give my 110 percent. Performance will come and go, but effort matters most for me,” he said.

The 29-year-old expressed joy at his return to the national side, revealing the challenging time he had during his rehab.

“After injury, the comeback is never easy. I am humbled and blessed to have gotten fit courtesy of the hard work that is now paying me back, Hasan said.

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“Coming back into the team is nothing more than a dream come true again. I am feeling very excited and looking forward to it,” he added.

Hasan Ali emphasized the hard work, stating, “Rehab is the toughest thing for an athlete because you have to repeat the same exercise for months.

There was a lot of sacrifice, hunger, hard work, and passion,” the Gujranwala-born pacer added.

Hasan also highlighted the technical aspects of his bowling, noting that he had made several changes.

“Technically, there are lots of things that I have improved in my bowling. One thing I faced most was collapsing on the bowling crease. For two years, it felt like I was sitting and bowling.

“I was never a brace-leg bowler, but my front leg started to give way. Firstly, it was bending, and then it started to collapse. Due to this reason, my pace got reduced, and I remember that I was bowling at 128,130 kmph speed in the Australia series,” he recalled.

The third-highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 added that he had worked on his momentum and balance along with his new ball skills.

“So I have adjusted it. I have corrected my momentum and balance on the crease. Additionally, I have worked on my new ball and some of the basic things,” he concluded.

LAHORE: Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali marked his return to international cricket in style on Wednesday, grabbing his maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is to help his team seal a 37-run win over Bangladesh in the series opener.

Returning to the national side after more than a year, the experienced pacer looked as if he had never been away.

He struck early and often, removing both Bangladesh openers, Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan, within his first two overs before running through the middle and lower order to claim the bowling figures of 5-28.

It’s been a tough road back for the 29-year-old, who last donned Pakistan’s T20I colours in May 2024 against Ireland.

A subsequent elbow injury during the County Championship in July sidelined him for months, raising concerns over his future.

He made his comeback during the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10, where he finished as the joint-second highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps, a performance that earned him a well-deserved return to the national setup.

Reflecting on his dream comeback, Hasan credited a straightforward plan and the backing of his teammates.

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“The plan was simple — bowl in the right areas,” he said after the match. “Honestly, credit goes to our batters who set up a solid total, which allowed us to bowl with a clear strategy.”

“What more could I ask for? To return with a five-wicket haul in a format where bowlers rarely dominate — it’s truly special.”

Hasan Ali also spoke about the importance of pace variations in the modern T20 game, highlighting how crucial it is for bowlers to adapt.

“T20 cricket heavily favours batters, so having variations in your arsenal is key. I’m happy I could execute those when it mattered most,” he added.

The pacer took a moment to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its medical staff for standing by him during his lengthy rehab.

“Rehabilitation was tough — boring, demanding, and mentally draining. It required full commitment, passion, and hunger,” Hasan revealed.

“There were times when I thought the injury could end my career, but the PCB and my physio staff were phenomenal in their support.”

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LAHORE: Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha praised Hasan Ali for his impressive performance against Bangladesh in the first T20I here at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Pakistan secured a resounding 37-run victory over Bangladesh while defending a 202-run target.

Hasan Ali, on his return to the national side after one and a half years, bagged a five-wicket haul in an impressive spell. He returned with figures of 5-30 in 3.2 overs.

During the post-match presentation, Salman Ali Agha praised Hasan Ali, emphasizing his hard work over the past year.

“I think everyone is saying that 2017 Hassan Ali is back. And well, he’s well and truly back. And the way he worked, I have seen him working hard,” he remarked.

The skipper shed light on Hasan Ali’s training routine, stressing his bowling in the opening T20I.

“He was coming every day for two times, and then in Ramadan, he was coming and would stay there, break fast, and then stay there, like till 11-12. It’s truly hard work. Today it’s paid off. And the way he bowled in PSL, and the way he bowled today, I’m so happy for him, ” Salman Ali Agha said.

“He’s well and truly back, he added.

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The right-handed batter who scored his maiden half-century in T20Is pinpointed Pakistan’s game plan despite losing early wickets.

“I do want eight batters and six bowling options. I didn’t bowl Saim yet, and I think he’s a good enough bowler to bowl four overs. I think it’s just a luxury I have.

“After like 5-2, it was an amazing innings. And I think everyone chipped in, and everyone came and played with the intent. That’s what we want from them. This is what we want. We want a team performance like that, ” he explained.

Salman Ali Agha lauded the all-around performance from the Green Shirts, noting that everyone contributed to the victory.

“We batted well, bowled well, and fielded well, and everyone chipped in. We don’t want people to score 80-90; if they do that, then that’s amazing. But if they don’t do that, we want people to come and take the game on, whether we are batting, bowling, or fielding,” the skipper said.

He concluded, “We will try to take rest tomorrow, and then we will come the day after tomorrow, like the way we did today, we will do, probably try to do better.”

READ: Hasan bags five as Pakistan thump Bangladesh in T20I series opener

LAHORE: Salman Ali Agha’s half-century, followed by Hasan Ali’s five-wicket haul, as Pakistan sealed a resounding 37-run victory over Bangladesh in the first T20I here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a daunting target of 202 runs, Bangladesh’s batting line faltered and were bundled out for 164 in 19.2 overs.

In pursuit of the target, Bangladesh had a similar start to Pakistan as they lost two wickets in four overs. Parvez Hossain Emon (4 off two balls) was removed only in the second over, while Tanzid Hasan fell in the fourth over.

Tanzid’s brisk 31 off 17 ended, courtesy of Hasan Ali’s good bowling.

Following the early hiccups, skipper Litton Das came to the fore, forging a steady stand with Towid Hridoy for the third wicket. The rapid partnership helped visitors reach the 100-run mark in just 12 overs.

The duo’s batting kept Bangladesh afloat, not before Liton’s removal, who was caught by Fakhar Zaman. He top-scored with 48 off 30 deliveries, striking at 160 with the help of three sixes and a four.

Litton Das’s wicket triggered a collapse that Bangladesh could not recover from. Khushdil Shah ended Hridoy’s sluggish 22-ball 17 while Agha Salman ended Shamim Hossain’s (4) innings.

Bangladesh were eventually reduced to 108-5 in 13.1 overs. With required run-rate creeping, Pakistan sensed a comfortable victory until Jaker Ali’s cameo.

He was removed in the 18th over after a quick-fire 36. He faced 20 balls in which he struck three sixes and a four, but it was not enough while chasing an above-par target.

Following his removal, the visitor’s innings was eventually folded in the 20th over.

Hasan Ali, on his return to the national side, starred with a five-wicket haul while Shadab Khan bagged two wickets.

For his all-round performance, Shadab Khan was named the ‘Player of the Match’.

Earlier, after opting to bat, Skipper Salman Ali Agha’s half-century and Shadab Khan’s blitz powered Pakistan to a 201-run total for the loss of seven wickets in their 20 overs.

Pakistan had a poor start to their innings as their dynamic opening duo, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, fell cheaply in the opening overs.

Saim was the first to go without scoring while Fakhar fell on the score of one in the second over, leaving Pakistan two for five.

However, skipper Agha Salman led from the front, stitching a 48-run stand with Mohammad Haris to steady the Green Shirts.

Haris was going well until his dismissal after scoring 31 off 18 deliveries, with the help of four boundaries and a six. Pakistan was eventually reduced to 53 in 6.3 overs.

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Meanwhile, Agha remained steady, crafting another stand with Hasan Nawaz. Both batters scored briskly in a 65-run partnership, bringing the score to 118 in 12 overs.

The skipper’s wicket halted Pakistan’s momentum as he was removed just after his half-century. Agha Salman top-scored with 56 off 34 deliveries, striking eight fours and a six.

Shadab Khan joined Hasan Nawaz, who was dismissed after scoring 44 off 22 deliveries, featuring two fours and four sixes. One wicket followed another as the incoming batter Khushdil Shah (5 off 10 balls) short stay came to an end. followed him.

At this stage, Pakistan was 150-6 in 16.1 overs with vice-captain Shadab Khan at one end. With wickets in quick succession, Shadab Khan struck a crucial 48-run knock, helping Pakistan score above 200.

He was removed on the last ball of the penultimate over. Shadab struck five fours and two sixes in his brisk knock.

For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam was the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets, while Mahedi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rishad Hossain, and Shamim Hossain claimed one scalp apiece.

Pakistan Bangladesh Playing XIs

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (capt), Towhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan, Jaker Ali (wk), Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib,  Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Salman Agha (capt), Hasan Nawaz,  Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Hassan Ali, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

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