Tag: Hassan Ali

  • ‘I cried’: Hasan Ali on Matthew Wade’s drop catch in T20 WC

    ‘I cried’: Hasan Ali on Matthew Wade’s drop catch in T20 WC

    Pakistan’s right-arm fast bowler Hassan Ali has recently opened up about Matthew Wade’s drop catch in the T20 World Cup. The pacer said that he cried after dropping that catch.

    In an interview, Hassan revealed that he cried after that incident and so did Shaheen following the dropped catch.

    “After the match, I was crying and so was Shaheen, it was an extremely sad moment,” said Hassan.

    Hassan also revealed that he ‘wasn’t able to sleep for days’, terming it as the toughest phase of his career.

    “It was a tough moment of my career and it was quite difficult for me to forget. I haven’t revealed this to anyone until now but I didn’t sleep for two days, my wife was with me and she was tense as I was not sleeping,” he said.

    “Shoaib bhai came to me and told me that you are a tiger and that I shouldn’t fall. In addition to that, I also received a lot of support on social media which helped me ease through the pain,” he said.

    He went on to say that he was gutted following that costly dropped catch but he decided to move on while travelling to Bangladesh briefly after Pakistan’s exit from the mega event.

    “I was quiet and sitting at the side as the dropped catch was appearing in my mind continuously but while travelling to Bangladesh I told myself that I should move on,” he said.

    Hassan also added that the 27-year-old pacer does not take the matches lightly and always tries to perform for Pakistan.

    It is pertinent to mention here, following that dropped catch from Hassan, Wade smashed three consecutive sixes to Shaheen and powered his side to the victory which also booked a final berth for the Kangaroos.

  • VIDEO: Which cricketer became Shadab Khan’s driver from the airport?

    VIDEO: Which cricketer became Shadab Khan’s driver from the airport?

    Pakistani all-rounder Shadab Khan has come back to Pakistan from Australia after playing in the Big Bash League (BBL) for Sydney Sixers. A video of him is circulating on social media in which he can be seen coming out of the airport with bags in his hands.

    On his arrival, the Pakistan vice-captain was surprised by his best friend Hassan Ali who came to pick him up from the airport.

    Shadab initially struggled to recognize the pacer, who had disguised himself as a chauffeur driver holding Shadab’s name. However, after a brief moment of hesitation, Shadab finally got a hold of everything that was happening.

    Shadab featured for four matches for Sixers and was advised to head back due to increasing cases of Covid-19 and with Pakistan Super League (PSL) approaching.

    During the four games, Shadab scored 20 runs in total and returned the figures of 0/8 against Renegades, 1-36 against Scorchers, and 0-27 against Heat.

  • Most Valuable Cricketer: Mohammad Rizwan shines in PCB Awards

    Most Valuable Cricketer: Mohammad Rizwan shines in PCB Awards

    Pakistan wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan had an exceptional year with the bat, behind the wicket as well in T20 cricket. The star cricketer bagged two awards in the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) annual awards. Rizwan has been given Most Valuable Cricketer Of The Year and T20 Cricketer Of The Year awards.

    There were a total of 10 categories identified with eight player’s categories and two special categories, including Spirit of Cricket and Umpire of the Year.

    Following is the complete list of winners in all categories announced by PCB in a press release issued after the online award ceremony:

    Impactful performance of the Year: Shaheen Shah Afridi

    Emerging Cricketer of the Year: Mohammad Wasim Jnr

    ODI Cricketer of the Year: Babar Azam

    Women’s Cricketer of the Year: Nida Dar

    Test Cricketer of the Year: Hassan Ali

    T20I Cricketer of the Year: Mohammad Rizwan

    Spirit of Cricket: Pakistan cricket team’s visit to the Namibia cricket team’s dressing room following their 45 runs victory to congratulate the Namibia side for qualifying for their maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 and then progressing to the Super-12 Stage.

    Umpire of the Year: Asif Yaqoob

    Domestic Cricketer of the Year: Sahibzada Farhan

    Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year: Mohammad Rizwan

    The independent panel that selected the winners included Rashid Latif, Marina Iqbal (former international cricketers), Tariq Saeed (broadcaster), Mazher Arshad (statistician), Majid Bhatti, Mohammad Yaqoob, Mohi Shah, Rizwan Ali, Shahid Hashmi and Sohail Imran (journalists).

    Rizwan won the PCB’s Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year award following a stellar 2021 in which he scored 455 Test, 134 ODI and 1,326 T20I runs, besides accounting for 56 batsmen behind the wickets across all formats.

    For the Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year award, Rizwan beat the strong competitors like Babar Azam, Hassan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who also had an impressive and outstanding year, which is reflected through Pakistan’s overall performance in 2021.

    “I feel humbled and honoured to have been adjudged Pakistan’s Most Valuable Cricketer of 2021. This is the PCB’s most prestigious award and to be recognised for my contributions in the team’s superlative performances across all formats in 2021 in such a way gives me tremendous satisfaction and happiness,” Rizwan said.

    “I thought I had an exceptional year in the shortest format of the game when I was able to hit a century early in the year against South Africa and then carry that confidence and momentum for the rest of the year. I give a lot of credit to our bowlers who bowled their hearts out and didn’t let the pressure get onto the batters by maintaining sustained pressure on opponents throughout the year.”

    Speaking on the ocassion, Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja said: “PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “On behalf of the PCB, I want to congratulate each award winner. They deserve all the applause and accolades for their tremendous consistency across all formats in difficult times that inspired their sides to outstanding performances throughout 2021, which have been widely acknowledged by the Pakistan cricket fans.”

  • PCB announces nominations for 2021 Awards, Rizwan gets 3 and Babar 2

    PCB announces nominations for 2021 Awards, Rizwan gets 3 and Babar 2

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the nominees for the annual cricket awards 2021.

    “We are all set to bring to you the PCB Awards 2021,” the board announced on its official Twitter handle on Monday.

    Shedding light on further details, the PCB said that the categories and nominations will be revealed on Tuesday.

    Taking to Twitter, PCB shared Impactful Performance of The Year Nominees. Fawad Alam was nominated for his impressive Test against South Africa, Hassan Ali for his 10-fer against South Africa, Mohammad Rizwan for his 79 not out against India in T20 World Cup and Shaheen Shah Afridi for his 3-31 against India in the same match.

    In emerging cricketers’ category, wicket-keeper-batter Azam Khan, young pacers Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Wasim Jnr. and Shahnawaz Dahani are nominated.

    In Men’s ODI Cricketer of The Year category, skipper Babar Azam, power hitter Fakhar Zaman, pacers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi are nominated.

    On the other hand Women’s Cricketers of the year nominations include Aliya Riaz, Anum Amin, Fatima Sana and Nida Dar.

    Revealing Test Player of the Year of Award, PCB wrote: “Many thrilling performances in the Test cricket format, here are the stars who made it to the nominations for “Test Cricketer of the Year.” Players included in this category are Test opener Abid Ali, batter Fawad Alam, pacers Shaheen and Hassan.

    In the T20 Player of the Year category, all-rounder Shadab Khan, Haris, Shaheen and Rizwan are included.

    PCB named five cricketers in Domestic Cricketer Of The Year Nominees. Cricketers in this category include Asif Afridi, Mohammad Huraira, Iktikhar Ahmed, Sahibzada Farhan and Tayyab Tahir.

    The last category for today, “Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year” but certainly not the least. A valuable player not only performs exceptionally well but also inspires others to do more,” wrote PCB.

    Here are the nominees: Babar Azam, Hassan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

    Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been shortlisted in five categories for the PCB Awards 2021.

    Rizwan has earned nominations for the Impactful Performance of the Year, T20I Cricketer of the Year and Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year, Hasan Ali has been shortlisted for the Impactful Performance of the Year, Test Cricketer of the Year and Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year awards.

    Babar Azam, Fawad Alam and Haris Rauf have been shortlisted in two categories each.

    For the Emerging Cricketer of the Year, Arshad Iqbal, Azam Khan, Mohammad Wasim Junior and Shahnawaz Dahani have been shortlisted.

    The winners of the Umpire of the Year and Spirit of Cricket awards will be announced directly on Thursday, January 6.

  • Babar, Pakistani cricketers wish fans on New Year

    Babar, Pakistani cricketers wish fans on New Year

    Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam and other Pakistani cricketers took to their social media to wish their fans on New Year.

    Taking to Twitter, Babar wrote: “Wishing you all a happy and prosperous #NewYear2022! May the new year be filled with lots of positives, joy and peace.”

    Other cricketers including Shadab Khan, Hassan Ali, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, among others also took to their social media to wish their fans.

    Veteran cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq also wished his fans, hoping that this year brings “joy” and “happiness” in their lives.

    Earlier, Babar also reviewed Pakistan cricket team’s performance this whole year. The 27-year-old batter also shared that beating India in the T20 World Cup match was his favourite moment of the year.

  • Fakhar Zaman teases Haris Rauf after Shaheen Afridi’s appointment as Lahore Qalandars’ captain

    Fakhar Zaman teases Haris Rauf after Shaheen Afridi’s appointment as Lahore Qalandars’ captain

    Pakistan cricket team’s power hitter Fakhar Zaman teased speedster Haris Rauf after pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was appointed as captain of Lahore Qalandars in the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    Taking to Twitter, the batter congratulated Shaheen and wrote: “Many congratulations Shaheen Afridi long way to go super star.”

    He also warned Rauf, saying: “Haris Rauf ab koi ghalti na karna match ma. (Haris Rauf don’t make any mistake in the match from now onwards.)”

    Replying to Fakhar, Rauf said: “kuch ni kehta mujhay full yakeen hai apnay skipper par. (He will not say anything, I have full trust in my skipper.)”

    While he also extended good wishes to Shaheen for the appointment. “Best wishes and Best of luck buddy,” he wrote.

    Shaheen tweeted that it is an honour for him to lead Lahore Qalandars. He also pledged to win the hearts and the trophy as well.

    The franchise made the announcement in a press conference at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore on Monday. Afridi has replaced Sohail Akhtar, who was the captain of the team since 2018.

    Several people from the cricket fraternity congratulated the 21-year-old cricketer. Hassan Ali also took to Twitter to congratulate his “partner”.

    The seventh edition of PSL will start on January 27.

    Matches from January 27- February 7 will be played at the National Stadium, Karachi, whereas the remaining fixtures will take place at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore with the final set to take place on February 27.

  • ‘Braindead journalists’: Twitter reacts to Hassan Ali shutting down journalist during PSL drafts

    ‘Braindead journalists’: Twitter reacts to Hassan Ali shutting down journalist during PSL drafts

    Pakistan cricket team’s star pacer Hassan Ali always remains in the discussion for some reason or the other. Once again, Ali is in discussion and this time the matter is a bit hot. This time the bowler had an argument with a journalist, whose video has now gone viral on social media. The draft event of the seventh season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was held on Sunday December 12 in Lahore, where the incident took place.

    A press conference was also held on the sidelines of the draft event of PSL 2022. Ali also participated in this event and Ali, who plays for Islamabad United in PSL, was answering questions, when a journalist wanted to ask him a question but he refused to listen to his question.

    In the viral video, it can be seen that the journalist asked Ali a question but before hearing the question, he said: “Next question.” The journalist who asked the question was Anas Saeed. Anas tried to ask the question again, but Hassan again deferred by saying “next question”. Here a brawl started between the two.

    Anas asked Hassan to listen to his question, then Hassan said: “I don’t want to answer you.” Hassan further said: “You first sit on Twitter and write good things and then I will reply. You should not be personal with anyone. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) can’t stop you, but we have the right.”

    Ali looked quite upset during this and did not listen to Saeed’s question. The video of this spat between the two went viral on Twitter. Anas Saeed re-tweeted it and wrote, “Journalists have to face such allegations in every round, sometimes stealing eyes by calling it a caste allegation will not do anything. I will come back strong.”

    In another video, the journalist can be heard saying that rumours about Hassan circulate on social media while Hassan instantly said: “Next question please.”

    Earlier, Saeed took to Twitter and posted Ali’s video in which he was having a fun time with his teammates Khushdil Shah and Iftikhar Ahmad. While Anas Saeed took to Twitter and pointed out that taking off the masks on a flight is against the Covid-19 protocols.

    Meanwhile, several sports journalists critised the cricketer while many fans extended their support for him.

    https://twitter.com/TheWhimsicalAli/status/1470085866471182343?s=20

  • PCB announces squads for Windies tour, Hassan rested, Sarfaraz dropped

    PCB announces squads for Windies tour, Hassan rested, Sarfaraz dropped

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squads for West Indies tour to Pakistan. Pacer Hassan Ali has been given a rest and wicket keeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed has been dropped from the squad.

    Shoaib Malik and Imad Wasim have been dropped from Pakistan’s T20I squad along with Sarfaraz.

    Sarfaraz, who was a late inclusion in Pakistan’s 2021 T20 World Cup squad, didn’t play in the tournament but got a chance in Pakistan’s previous series against Bangladesh, where he scored six. For more than two years, he has rarely found an opportunity to play in the eleven.

    Similarly, Shoaib Malik, who played some handy knocks in the middle order for the team in the recently-concluded World Cup, was dismissed for a duck in the only batting opportunity in Bangladesh.

    “As we have been playing T20Is since October and now have a pretty settled and balanced side, we have decided to reduce the number of players to 15. As such, we have not included Imad Wasim, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik,” chief selector Muhammad Wasim said.

    “In consultation with Hasan Ali and taking into consideration that he has been playing non-stop cricket since returning from a back injury, we have decided to give him time off from this series,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Hassan has also been rested for the ODI series, while Sarfaraz has not found favour in the 50-over setup either. Along with the duo, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf and Salman Ali, who were a part of the side that played in England, have been dropped. In turn, the selectors have included Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr for the three ODIs against West Indies, which will be a part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.

    T20I Squad: Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan (VC), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (Wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir.

    The Windies will be landing in Pakistan on December 9, while the series is set to be starting from December 13.

  • Shaheen Shah Afridi jumps to top five in Test rankings

    Shaheen Shah Afridi jumps to top five in Test rankings

    Pakistan’s young fast bowler Shaheen Sha Afridi has jumped to the top five of the ICC Test bowling rankings for the first time following his five-for against Bangladesh in Pakistan’s eight-wicket win in the first Test in Chittagong.

    Afridi, who finished with a match haul of seven wickets, moved up three places to number 5, overtaking James Anderson, Kagiso Rabada and Neil Wagner in the process.

    Each of the three bowlers Afridi has overtaken will have an opportunity to make gains of their own. Wagner could have the first crack if he makes New Zealand’s XI for the second and final Test against India in Mumbai. Anderson is likely to line up for the first Ashes Test next week, while Rabada will spearhead South Africa’s pace attack during their home Tests against India later this month.

    Meanwhile, Afridi’s new-ball partner Hassan Ali also moved five places to 11th, his best-ever position so far, following seven wickets in the Chittagong Test. This included figures of 5 for 51 that hastened Bangladesh’s collapse in the first innings after Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim put on 206 runs for the fifth wicket.

    Read More – Hassan Ali equals Waqar Younis, Imran Khan’s record in Bangladesh Test

    Among batters, Tom Latham and Dimuth Karunaratne made significant gains for their efforts in Kanpur and Galle respectively. Latham, who made 95 and 52 in New Zealand’s thrilling draw, jumped five places to No 9, while the Sri Lankan captain was two spots higher at seven following scores of 147 and 83 in Sri Lanka’s 187-run win in the first Test.

    Over in Bangladesh, the nature of Pakistan’s come-from-behind win had a few other gainers too. Abid Ali’s 133 and 91 helped him jump 27 slots to a career-best 20th rank, one place above Mushfiqur. Among the other gainers was Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam climbed two places to 23rd after picking up a seven-for in Pakistan’s first innings.

    Pakistan will play the next Test match against Bangladesh from December 4 to 8.

  • Sensational Shaheen Afridi takes another fifer, stuns Bangladesh batters

    Sensational Shaheen Afridi takes another fifer, stuns Bangladesh batters

    Pakistan will need 202 runs to win the second Test match as spinner Sajid Khan and pacer Shaheen Afridi stunned the Bangladeshi batting order to dismiss the hosts for 201 runs on Day 4.

    The fourth day of the first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed on a good note for the visitors on Monday when fast bowler Hassan Ali provided the Men in Green an early breakthrough followed by Sajid Khan’s dismissal of Mehidy Hasan.

    Bangladesh, batting to survive and give Pakistan a fighting total, were five wickets down before they reached three figures on the scoreboard.

    Earlier, Afridi in a video message, said that he wants to give his hundred per cent and he credited his fellow pacer Hassan Ali that he is enjoying the bowling spells with him. He said that we want to give our best to achieve the best for the national side.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan is hopeful to defeat the hosts with Abid Ali and Abdullah Shafique’s exceptional opening partnership. The national side only need 93 runs to win the first Test on the fifth day of the match.