Hasan Ali’s first year in international cricket could not have been better. The right-arm pacer, who made his ODI debut in August last year against Ireland, made a good impression early on, taking two five-fors in his first 15 ODIs.
However, it was this year’s Champions Trophy where he marked his arrival on the highest stage of the game. Just like his team, he too started the tournament on a bad note, conceding 70 in his ten overs but turned around his fortune remarkably well to play an integral role in Pakistan’s stunning title win.
He took three wickets in each of Pakistan’s next four matches and finished, as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 13 at an average of 14.69, while only conceding 4.29 an over to bag the Man of the tournament award.
He continued his form in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka too which is Pakistan’s first ODI assignment since the triumph in England and recently fulfilled one of his childhood dreams.
The 23-year old, who has taken 12 wickets in the first four games of the ongoing five-match series against the Islanders, became the world number one ODI bowler earlier and said that it is a dream come true for him.
“It’s a dream come true,” Hasan told AFP. “I set many goals in my childhood and to be the world number one bowler was amongst the top.”
Since his debut on 18 August last year, Hasan has taken 54 wickets which is more than any bowler in the world and is also the leading wicket-taker this year, having bagged a staggering 43 wickets in just 17 games. He recently became the joint third fastest bowler to take 50 wickets in ODIs, after reaching the milestone in his 23rd game, the same number, as Australian icon Dennis Lillee and four games fewer than legendary Pakistan bowler Waqar Younis.
Ali further said that his elder brother Ataur Rehman has the most significant influence on his career.
“My elder brother was the greatest influence on my career, and after a few first-class seasons I was picked by Peshawar franchise in the first edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL),” recalled Hasan who was being constantly monitored by Peshawar Zalmi head coach Mohammad Akram.
Ali, meanwhile, is in no mood to slow down yet and is now eyeing the next World Cup which will be played in England.
“I have been blessed with success, and the Champions Trophy victory was the best thing. The next big goal is to win the 2019 Wold Cup in England,” said Hasan.
Waqar Younis also expressed his surprise over Ali’s phenomenal rise but cautioned that the youngster along with others should be adequately monitored.
“His rise is phenomenal,” Waqar told AFP. “But since a lot of events have happened in Pakistan cricket I would like to see Hasan and other talented youngsters be mentored properly so that they don’t get lost.”
“Hasan and other youngsters are assets for our cricket, and they can carry our cricket forward. We cannot afford another jolt so I advise they should be monitored and mentored,” he added citing the incident that happened in 2010 when the talented Mohammad Amir was caught in spot-fixing.