Hasan Ali was awarded his county cap forward of Lancashire’s County Championship match in opposition to Essex, in a particular presentation at Emirates Outdated Trafford. Ali was awarded the county cap by the veteran Jimmy Anderson, who has bowled alongside the Pakistani fast within the Championship this season. Earlier than the beginning of this match, Hasan bagged 24 wickets at a powerful common of 17.5.
It wasn’t the primary time {that a} county aspect had approached the Pakistani fast as he had beforehand turned down provides from Leicestershire, Surrey, Kent, and Gloucestershire. However a shorter contract supply from Lancashire tempted the all-rounder to ply his commerce in English circumstances. The chance to play alongside legendary Jimmy Anderson may need additionally been an element.
“At my stage, there are many issues nonetheless to study,” Hasan mentioned. “Once I heard I used to be going to play for Lancashire, the very first thing that got here into my thoughts was Jimmy Anderson. I made a decision that I used to be going to study from Jimmy bhai, how he has been so good for such a very long time. He’s 39 years previous, and nonetheless, he’s coming in actually onerous. I requested him which issues are going to make me nonetheless hungry and nonetheless passionate … concerning the swing and the wrist place.”
Anderson was fairly impressed with the pacer’s performances in county cricket. “Hasan Ali is an absolute legend, nice man, nice bowler,” “He’s fairly fast, and he provides it every little thing, each ball. He’s been wonderful for Lancashire, he’s bought expertise. It’s been nice bowling with him,” Anderson instructed the BBC’s Tailenders podcast.
Taking part in county cricket was a childhood dream: Hasan Ali
Hasan made his Check debut for Pakistan in 2017 in opposition to West Indies. The pacer has bagged 74 wickets in 19 video games since then and has been fairly influential with the pink ball. He isn’t any stranger to those shores, however enjoying county cricket is one thing the pacer had by no means skilled earlier than. He revealed that the inspiration behind his choice to hitch the County Championship got here from Wasim Akram.
“In Pakistan, since childhood, we heard about county cricket. I bought a chance due to Lancashire and I grabbed it with each palms. It is sort of a dream come true. Wasim Akram instructed me ‘you must go to play county cricket; and at last, I’m right here and it’s wonderful. It has been a pleasure.”
Hasan had signed for the primary six county championship matches. He’ll return to Pakistan after the sport in opposition to Essex. Because the pacer enters the previous few days of his contract, Jimmy Anderson hopes that he’ll get to see extra of him on this soil. “I hope this isn’t the final we see of you. We’d like to have you ever again sooner or later.”
