Tag: Hasan Ali

Hasan Ali moves to Karachi Kings for PSL 9, Imad Wasim joins Islamabad United

Posted on by A Sports

LAHORE: Karachi Kings have let go of their HBL PSL 5 winning captain Imad Wasim, who will don Islamabad United colours in the ninth edition of the tournament, while pace bowler Hasan Ali will join the Kings squad.

Imad Wasim, who was named as the All-Rounder of HBL PSL 8, has been snapped by Islamabad United in the Platinum category in a trade with Hasan Ali (Diamond category).

By virtue of this player trade, Karachi Kings have received Islamabad United’s first-round silver pick in exchange for their second-round silver pick.

The successful relegation requests from franchisees ahead of the HBL PSL 2024 Player Draft include Lahore Qalandars’ Mirza Tahir Baig, Islamabad United’s Rumman Raees and Karachi Kings’ Mir Hamza (all Gold to Silver).

Quetta Gladiators will make the first pick in the PSL 9 Player Draft. Karachi Kings and two-time champions Islamabad United will have the second and third picks.

The fourth and fifth picks will be done by Peshawar Zalmi and last season’s runners-up Multan Sultans respectively while winners of the past two editions Lahore Qalandars will finish the first round with the sixth pick.

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The selection order for the first round for the Platinum category is determined by the inverse order of the previous season’s standings.

In order to make the Pick Order more equitable, a different franchise shall occupy the first pick in the first round of each category.

The retentions and trades are to be finalized ahead of the PSL 9 Player Draft, which has been tentatively scheduled for mid-December, after the completion of the National T20. The final of the National T20 is set to be played on 10 December in Karachi.

READ: PCB announces team management for Australia tour

WATCH: Hasan Ali plays Kabaddi with team masseur Malang Ali amid training

Posted on by A Sports

Pakistan’s experienced pacer Hasan Ali, known for his joyful nature off the field, once again amused the cricket fans as he engaged in a funny Kabadi battle with the national team’s masseur amid the training camp for the Australia Tests.

Pakistan team’s training camp for the three-match away series against Australia is underway at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

The players hit the nets and participated in several fielding drills since the commencement of the camp.

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Meanwhile, in the latest turn of events, Hasan Ali, who is poised to lead Pakistan’s pace attack on the upcoming tour alongside ace speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi, once again caught the attention with his wit.

In a video, circulating on social media, the national cricketers were seen warming up in the field before Hasan Ali hilariously grappled with masseur Malang Ali.

The right-arm pacer manhandled Ali on the ground and raised his hands in a triumphant manner. His gesture left his teammates in splits while the masseur also gave it a laugh before Hasan ran away.

https://twitter.com/beautywthBR/status/1728367406752686504

For the unversed, Pakistan’s ongoing training camp for the Australia tour will run until November 28.

Opening batter Imam-ul-Haq and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf will miss the entirety of the training camp due to their wedding festivities.

They are expected to join the squad in Lahore on 30th November, just before the team’s departure to Australia.

Pakistan’s quest for their first Test series victory over Australia in their backyard will commence on Dember 14.

It will be a tough challenge for left-handed opener Shan Masood, who became the Test captain after Babar Azam relinquished the role from all formats after his side’s dismal show in the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2023.

The Green Shirts will get an opportunity to get used to the testing Australian conditions as they will take on the Prime Minister’s XI in the four-day red-ball fixture at Manuka Oval from 6-9 December 2023.

Pakistan squad

Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Nauman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed

Schedule of Pakistan’s Test tour of Australia

First Test: December 14-18, Perth Stadium

Second Test: December 26-30, Melbourne Cricket Ground

Third Test: January 3-7, Sydney Cricket Ground

READ: Sialkot clinch super-over win over Multan in National T20 Cup

“India will be under pressure at their home ground,” says Hasan Ali

Posted on by A Sports

AHMEDABAD: Pakistan’s right-arm pacer Hasan Ali asserted that hosts India will be under pressure at their home ground in the highly-anticipated PAK vs IND clash at the ICC World Cup 2023 on Saturday.

The most-anticipated fixture of this iteration of the ICC World Cup 2023 is upon us. Billions of cricket fans from around the world will tune in to watch great rivals, Pakistan and India, play at the biggest cricket stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium here.

The contest will mark the first instance of Pakistan and India playing a One-Day International against each other on Indian soil after 10 years. Their last bilateral meeting resulted in Pakistan defeating the hosts 2-1.

Both sides enter this contest after wins in their opening matches.

India beat Australia in Chennai and Afghanistan in Delhi and Pakistan signed off their memorable trip to Hyderabad by recording the highest-ever chase in the history of the World Cup, thanks to gutsy centuries from Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan, on Tuesday.

Babar Azam’s side kicked off their ICC World Cup 2023 campaign with a comfortable 81-run win over the Netherlands.

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Meanwhile, Hasan Ali, who played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2017 glory, claimed that pressure will be on India at their home ground while also expressing his confidence that the national team will break India’s winning streak against Pakistan in the 50-over World Cups.

“Records are meant to be broken and we too are looking forward to breaking this jinx of not having beaten India in a 50-over World Cup,” Hasan told PCB Digital.

“It is India who will be under pressure as it is their home ground with fans turning up to support them. There is always pressure in a big game like this but we will try to gain momentum early in the proceedings and win the contest.”

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Hasan Ali further shared on the eve of the high-octane PAK vs IND clash that starting the tournament with back-to-back wins has lifted the team’s confidence.

“Efforts like the record chase against Sri Lanka, boost the morale of a side,” Hasan, who is also Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker with six scalps at an average of 17.33, said.

“There were some fantastic individual and collective performances against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. When you start a tournament with consecutive wins, it boosts your confidence.”

The excitement of the PAK vs IND contest is such that both countries come to a virtual standstill. Fans, not only in the two countries but also across the world, gear up to watch the two sides lock horns.

“This is the best [sporting] rivalry in the world,” Hasan said.

“Many players have already spoken about how everyone around the globe tunes into this match. The team is excited for this game, and so am I to play at a venue hosting fans in excess of 100,000. We are looking forward to the game.”

READ: PAK vs IND clash to kick off with star-studded ceremony

Inzamam-ul-Haq opens up on Hasan Ali selection in ICC World Cup 2023 squad

Posted on by shahzad.malik

LAHORE: Inzamam-ul-Haq, the national chief selector announced a 15-member Pakistan squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023, the notable selection, however, was the returning pace-bowler Hasan Ali.

Hasan Ali returned to the Pakistan ODI squad after one year, replacing injured fast bowler Naseem Shah, who injured his right shoulder during the Asia Cup 2023 match against India. He last played an ODI match against West Indies in June 2022, where he picked up two wickets.

The head of national selection committee, Inzamam-ul-Haq justified Hasan Ali’s selection on the basis of experience and injuries to other pace bowlers.

“We were forced to make one change [Hasan Ali] because of an unfortunate injury to Naseem Shah,” said Inzamam-ul-Haq. “Our fast bowlers are facing injuries, [Mohammad] Hasnain has an ankle injury and is out injured and so is Ihsanullah, so Hasan Ali has been included in the team on the basis of experience.”

He also explained the reason for Hasan Ali not replace Naseem Shah in Asia Cup 2023 instead of Zaman Khan.

“Hasan Ali was suffering from a finger injury at the time when Naseem Shah got injured in the Asia Cup,” Inzmam-ul-Haq explained.

Hasan Ali underwent surgery after he injured his finger while playing for Dambulla Aura in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) playoff game against Galle Titans last month. He picked up eight wickets at an astonishing average of 16.12 in the five games in the tournament.

Hasan Ali has represented Pakistan in 60 ODI games and picked 91 wickets, since his debut in 2016. He was also part of Pakistan’s squad in the ICC ODI World Cup 2019, as well as Pakistan’s successful Champions Trophy triumph under the leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed in 2017.

The 15-member Pakistan team will kick off their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on October 6 at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Prior to that, they will play two warm-up matches against New Zealand and Australia on September 29 and October 3 respectively.

READ: Mohammad Hafeez steps down from PCB Cricket Technical Committee

Hasan Ali named in Pakistan’s squad for ICC World Cup 2023

Posted on by A Sports

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the head of the national men’s selection committee, today announced Pakistan’s squad, featuring the returning pace bowler Hasan Ali, for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 in India, commencing on October 5.

Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam will lead the 15-member Pakistan squad in the mega-event, while all-rounder Shadab Khan will serve as his deputy.

Experienced pace bowler Hasan Ali returned to the Pakistan ODI squad after one year, replacing injured fast bowler Naseem Shah, who injured his right shoulder during the Asia Cup 2023 match against India.

“We were forced to make one change [Hasan Ali] because of an unfortunate injury to Naseem Shah. We had a few injury scares in the recent Asia Cup, but I am glad to share that all the players are fully fit and are eager to perform for their country in the all-important tournament,” chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq explained in the press conference.

Hasan Ali last played an ODI match against West Indies in June 2022, where he picked up two wickets. He has represented Pakistan in 60 ODI games and picked 91 wickets, since his debut in 2016. He was also part of Pakistan’s squad in the ICC ODI World Cup 2019.

Young pace bowler Zaman Khan and wicket-keeper Mohammad Haris, who were part of the Pakistan squad in Asia Cup 2023, are named as reserve players along with leg spinner Abrar Ahmed, who has represented Pakistan in six test matches.

Meanwhile, Tayyab Tahir and Faheem Ashraf from Pakistan’s Asia Cup squad failed to make it into the ICC World Cup 2023 squad. Faheem Ashraf played three matches and picked up three wickets in the tournament, while Tayyab Tahir did not feature in any game.

Inzamam-ul-Haq also gave an update about pace bowler Haris Rauf’s recovery after getting injured during the match against India in the Asia Cup.

“I have received encouraging reports from our medical panel about Haris Rauf. He has started to (shadow) bowl at the National Cricket Academy and will be available for selection,” said Inzamam-ul-Haq.

The former captain showed faith in the current bunch of players and backed them to make the nation proud with their performance in the ICC World Cup 2023.

“This team has performed wonderfully well over the last couple of years and that is why we have shown faith in the same bunch,” he said.

“I have a firm belief that this squad can bring the World Cup trophy to Pakistan and make the whole nation proud with their incredible performances.”

The Green Shirts will kick off their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on October 6 at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Prior to that, they will play two warm-up matches against New Zealand and Australia on September 29 and October 3 respectively.

Pakistan ICC World Cup 2023 squad

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafiq, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha.

Travelling Reserves: Zaman Khan, Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed

READ: ‘We’ll see’: Messi is unsure about FIFA World Cup 2026

Shadab Khan shuts down fan for criticizing Hasan Ali

Posted on by A Sports

Pakistani all-rounder, Shadab Khan defended fellow cricketer Hassan Ali after a fan criticized one of his social media posts.

Shadab Khan on Friday, shared his pictures in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). Hasan Ali shared his post with a caption in their national language as a gesture of love and appreciation for his teammate and friend.

However, a user on X did not approve of this and shared the post with a caption expressing the need for players to learn ‘how to use social media platforms’ properly.

“For God’s Sake @RealHa55an. You are an international cricketer…!! @TheRealPCBMedia @Rehan_ulhaq @TheRealPCB at least educate them how to use social media platforms,” the user wrote on X.

However, Shadab Khan stepped in to defend Hasan Ali, he shared the user’s post and gave a strong response, stating that it’s important to appreciate and embrace one’s own culture.

He also pointed out that even famous athletes like Lionel Messi don’t speak English, so there’s no need to feel embarrassed about not conforming to certain standards.

Pakistani opening batter Shan Masood also joined the fray with his own take on the whole situation. He responded to Shadab’s post by stating that it is a common national habit to belittle others in order to elevate ourselves.

Fast bowler Hasan Ali recently underwent surgery on his finger after he suffered an injury while playing for Dambulla Aura in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) playoff game against Galle Titans.

While Shadab Khan is currently in Sri Lanka with the national team to participate in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan starting on August 22.

READ: Messi leads Inter Miami to first trophy with Leagues Cup win

Hasan Ali, McDermott shine as Dambulla Aura sink Colombo Strikers in LPL

Posted on by A Sports

COLOMBO: Ben McDermott’s unbeaten half-century and Hasan Ali’s three-for powered Dambulla Aura to a crushing 50-run victory over Colombo Strikers in the 16th game of the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) on Saturday.

Dambulla Aura, having already booked their place in the playoffs of the LPL, comfortably sit at the top of the points table. Whereas, Colombo Strikers sank to the bottom of the LPL points table.

Opting to bat first, Dambulla Aura found themselves in trouble as they slumped to 24-3 in the fifth over.

Coming out to bat at number five, Ben McDermott put on a brief 22-run partnership with Dhananjaya de Silva before the latter perished.

Alex Ross joined McDermott at the crease with the scoreboard reading 46/4 and launched an astounding recovery for the Aura.

The pair batted sensibly under the pressure before taking the bowlers head-on.

They knitted a solid 102 runs partnership off 71 deliveries before Ross was caught behind off Matheesha Pathirana soon after amassing his half-century.

Alex Ross’s 38-ball 52 featured five boundaries and two sixes, while Ben McDermott remained unbeaten at 69 runs off 46 balls with the help of four boundaries and as many sixes.

This partnership helped Dambulla Aura reach a commendable total of 166 in 20 overs.

Matheesha Pathirana topped the bowling charts for Colombo Strikers with two wickets, while Naseem Shah, Chamika Karunaratne and Jeffrey Vandersay chipped in with one wicket each.

Set to chase 167, Colombo Strikers, too, had a poor start to their innings as they were reduced to 55-3 in the sixth over when Hasan Ali sent Babar Azam packing.

Babar could score 11 off 13 deliveries.

Angelo Perera soon followed the footsteps of star batter as Noor Ahmed trapped him out lbw.

Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz then put on a cautious 28-run stand and attempted to anchor the run chase.

However, Aura bowlers kept the pair under check and soon got the reward as Iftikhar was cleaned up by Dushan Hemantha at a total of 102.

Iftikhar failed to clear the rope even once during his cautious 18 off 26.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Nawaz scored 20 off 24 with the help of two boundaries before falling to Noor Ahmed.

Following Iftikhar’s departure, the Strikers’ innings soon collapsed at a total of 116, thanks to clinical bowling Dambulla Aura.

Hasan Ali picked up three wickets for 16 runs, while Dushman Hemantha, Noor Ahmed and Binura Fernando picked up two wickets each.

Colombo Strikers will face B-Love Kandy tonight in the 18th game of LPL, whereas, Dambulla Aura will face B-Love Kandy on Monday in their final LPL group fixture.

READ: Tickets for Asia Cup 2023 go on sale

Hasan eclipses Malik’s heroics as Dambulla Aura edge Jaffna Kings in LPL

Posted on by A Sports

PALLEKELE: Shoaib Malik’s late fireworks went in vain as Hasan Ali ran through Jaffna Kings’ batting line-up to guide Dambulla Aura to a thrilling nine-run win over Jaffna Kings in the 11th match of the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) on Monday.

Dambulla Aura jumped to the top of the table in the ongoing LPL, after they defended the joint-second lowest total in the LPL history.

Requiring 34 off the last over of Afghanistan prodigy Noor Ahmed, Jaffna Kings had their hopes alive with Shoaib Malik on the crease.

He started the over on a high, hitting two sixes, but the young bowler held on to his nerves and bowled two dot balls to seal the deal for his team.

Malik however hit a boundary and a six off the last two balls but the game was already over by then, as Dambulla Aura won by 9 runs.

He waged a lone battle against Aura’s bowlers, scoring more than half of his team’s total of 125.

Shoaib Malik’s innings of 74 off 56 balls was laced with five boundaries and six sixes. Besides Malik, only Dunith Wellalage (16) managed to reach double figures.

After winning the toss, Jaffna Kings put Dambulla Aura into bat, and they got off to a flying start as the first over of Maheesh Theekshana saw both openers going back to the pavilion.

Avishka Fernando ran himself out on the first delivery, while Kusal Mendis holed one straight to Malik at deep midwicket.

Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Perera knitted a formidable partnership of 51 runs for Dambulla Aura before the former was castled by Dunith Wellalage. Samarawickrama’s anchoring 30 off 25 featured four boundaries.

Dhananjaya de Silva (4) joined Perera but was soon bowled by Malik with just 69 on the board in the 11th over.

Perera then attempted to shift gears and take on Malik with a reverse sweep but missed the length ball and was cleaned up.

Subsequently, no batter posed any real threat to Jaffna Kings except Hayden Kerr, who scored 25 off 20 at the backend to guide his team to a modest total of 134.

Shoaib Malik and Nuwan Thushara picked two wickets each for the Kings, while Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage managed one apiece.

Jaffna Kings started the chase in contrast to their brilliant bowling performance as they were reduced to 10-3 in four overs.

Hasan Ali removed opening batters Rahmanullah Gurbaz (3) and Charith Asalanka (5), whereas Towhid Hridoy perished for a first-ball duck off Binura Fernando.

David Miller was then involved in a brief 17-run partnership with Malik until chipping one straight to the bowler, Hayden Kerr and left the Kings reeling at 27/4 just after the powerplay.

Malik then formed a crucial partnership for the Kings when he added 39 runs for the fifth wicket with Dunith Wellalage before Hasan Ali came back into the attack and crashed the top of Wellalage’s off-stump.

With the Kings in heaps of trouble after losing wickets at regular intervals, Shoaib Malik batted cautiously in the middle phase and the required run rate kept rising.

With the Kings requiring 50 off 18 deliveries, Shoaib Malik finally shifted gears in the 18th over, as he hit 10 runs off Hasan Ali to bring up his fifty in 44 balls.

However, Malik’s heroics came a touch too late as the Kings fell just nine runs short of pulling a miraculous victory.

Defending champions Jaffna Kings are now placed at the fourth spot in the LPL standings and will face Colombo Strikers in the next game on Tuesday, while table-toppers Dambulla Aura will face second-positioned Galle Titans on Wednesday.

READ: Babar Azam’s maiden LPL ton lifts Colombo Strikers to edge Galle Titans

Hasan Ali heaps praise on Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mickey Arthur

Posted on by A Sports

Right-arm pacer Hasan Ali heaped praise on former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mickey Arthur for shaping the careers of players including him and Babar Azam.

The right-arm speedster who stepped foot in international cricket in 2016 under the leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mickey Arthur as the national team’s head coach, lauded the duo for having confidence in the young players.

“You ask any player who made debut when Arthur was head coach, he will call him the best coach,” he said.

“He used to tell us our importance by calling us champion, tiger, lion, and match winner. He used to support us a lot and that is how players were built during his time,” he added.

Notably, Pakistan lifted their first-ever Champions Trophy title during Arthur’s tenure and Sarfaraz’s captaincy. Hasan Ali played a pivotal role in the team’s historic triumph.

He was the leading wicket-taker of the tournament and was also named the Player of the Tournament.

Hasan then shared that Sarfaraz Ahmed, during his captaincy stint, kept faith in a pool of 15 to 18 players and those players performed and won matches for the country.

“Saifi bhai, then captain, held a meeting in 2018 and told us that we are his main players. The players then used to be selected from a pool of 15 to 18 players. Those players performed for the team and we won matches,” stated Hasan.

Sarfaraz is considered one of the most successful Pakistan captains, having won two ICC titles – Champions Trophy and U19 World Cup – and leading his side to 11 consecutive T20I series victories.

Hasan Ali continued his praise for former head coach Mickey Arthur by giving an example of how he constantly supported Babar Azam in Test cricket which eventually made him equally brilliant in the longest format.

“After every Test, there were talks about dropping Babar in the next series. But Arthur always said that Babar is a match-winner. He believed in him and see how he became a top batter across all formats,” he highlighted.

“You can’t take proper outcome from players until you give them proper chances,” he concluded.

READ: Shahid Afridi pens heartfelt note for daughter Aqsa on wedding

Hasan Ali reacts after being retained in Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka Tests

Posted on by A Sports

Right-arm speedster Hasan Ali was “so happy” to retain his spot in the Pakistan Test squad, unveiled by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday, for the two-match series against Sri Lanka.

Taking to Twitter, Hasan Ali expressed his gratitude for his inclusion in the national Test team for the Sri Lanka Tests before vowing to give his best in the away series.

“Shukar Alhamdulilah!! So happy to be back in Pakistan Test team for Sri Lanka series. Looking forward to give my 100% and start the WTC 2023-25 campaign with new goals,” he wrote.

Notably, Hasan Ali was also a part of Pakistan’s squad for the two-match home series against New Zealand last year.

He played the second Test but could only manage to pick one wicket in the match.

Following his struggling patch, he could not make it to Pakistan’s white-ball squad for the Afghanistan and New Zealand series.

He last featured for Pakistan in the limited-over formats in September 2022 in the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka.

However, it was Hasan Ali’s brilliant campaign in the ongoing County Championship that bolstered him to retain himself in the Test squad.

The right-arm pacer took 22 wickets in four matches and is currently the 11th leading wicket-taker of the competition.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan will start their World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 campaign with an away series against Sri Lanka, which is likely to commence on July 16.

As per the ICC-released WTC schedule, Pakistan will play 14 matches against numerous teams over the course of a two-year period.

The Green Shirts will play six series – three home and three away – during their WTC campaign.

Pakistan will take on England, West Indies and Bangladesh in their own backyard while they will face some serious challenges in the away series against reigning champions Australia and South Africa.

Pakistan squad

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood

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