"Who is he?" Was the first question Hasan Ali was asked by a senior journalist during a post-match press conference after a Pakistan Super League match
Hasan Ali
London: "Who is he?" Was the first question Hasan Ali was asked by a senior journalist during a post-match press conference after a Pakistan Super League match.
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It might have been an appropriate question after Hasan had only played his first game for Peshawar Zalmi franchise. But the fact that nobody had even heard about him was strange.
Hasan had only taken a single wicket in that match so it was not like he had captured all the headlines. But his coach at the Peshwar Zalmi was certainly aware of Pakistan latest fast bowling sensation.
After his heroics against Bangladesh, Hasan will have a go at India in tomorrow's final.
NCA days in Lahore
Mohammad Akram was at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore when he was in charge of spotting talent across the country. "He was the one of the first ones to attract my attention. I really admired his action and attitude and picked him for my PSL team, Peshawar Zalm," said Akram. At the T20 franchise Ali rubbed shoulders with likes of Shahid Afridi, Darren Sammy and other international players and started to pick their brains about cricket. "The most important thing for a talented, young cricketer is being a good listener. This is what I admire about him the most. His wrist position, game sense is the best among all the cricketers I have worked with," the former Pakistan pacer added.
Catch 'em young
Pakistan has been famous for picking youngsters with great physique and raw pace, but Ali was an exception to the rule with his wiry build and lack of height. "Old coaches and some close cricketer friends of mine told me, 'what are you doing picking that fellow?' But I said I can see that spark and the wrist position I'm looking for. For me, he's a bit like Dale Steyn. He can hold his wrist position." Akram decided to put Ali under pressure during practice matches against hard hitters such as Afridi and Sammy and the youngster showed good signs.
"He came through all those challenges really well without losing his wrist position. What I saw was that his head also remains very still, which is why he's so consistent with his yorkers because it never falls away," Akram remarked.
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