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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.
“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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