Hasan bags hat-trick in Vitality Blast
Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali delivered a match-winning performance, taking six wickets including a hat-trick, as Birmingham Bears defeated Derbyshire Falcons by 58 runs in the Vitality Blast at Edgbaston on Sunday.
It was the Bears' second consecutive home win, strengthening their position in the tournament.
Batting first, the Bears posted a strong total of 199 for 6. Skipper Alex Davies and Tom Latham gave the hosts a flying start, adding 79 runs for the first wicket. Latham scored a steady 58 from 42 balls, while Davies smashed 49 off just 29 deliveries. Although Derbyshire pulled things back in the later oversthanks to Pat Brown's 3 for 40the target was still a tough one.
Derbyshire's chase started disastrously, slipping to 28 for 4 within the first four overs. Despite a fighting 50 off 37 balls from Ross Whiteley and a handy 46 from skipper Wayne Madsen, the Falcons were bowled out for 141 in 17.1 overs.
Hasan Ali was the star of the show with the ball, finishing with remarkable figures of 6 for 23. After picking up early wickets, he returned to clean up the lower order and claim a hat-trick. His three consecutive victims were Ross Whiteley (caught at long-off), Alex Thomson (caught at mid-on), and Ben Aitchison (bowled).
George Garton also had a memorable game, equaling the T20 record for the most catches in a single innings by a non-wicketkeeper with five. He contributed with the bat too, hitting 12 runs off the final three deliveries he faced. Garton's sharp fielding helped dismiss key Derbyshire batters, including Caleb Jewell, Aneurin Donald, and David Lloyd.
Derbyshire, already dealing with injuries, were without veteran all-rounder Samit Patel due to a calf issue. They had to bring in Fynn Hudson-Prentice on loan from Sussex, but he couldn't stop the team's top-order collapse.
With this dominant win, the Bears continue to look like a strong, well-balanced side. Derbyshire, on the other hand, are struggling badly, having now lost all four of their matches in the competition.
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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Hasan bags hat-trick in Vitality Blast
Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali delivered a match-winning performance, taking six wickets including a hat-trick, as Birmingham Bears defeated Derbyshire Falcons by 58 runs in the Vitality Blast at Edgbaston on Sunday. It was the Bears' second consecutive home win, strengthening their position in the tournament. Batting first, the Bears posted a strong total of 199 for 6. Skipper Alex Davies and Tom Latham gave the hosts a flying start, adding 79 runs for the first wicket. Latham scored a steady 58 from 42 balls, while Davies smashed 49 off just 29 deliveries. Although Derbyshire pulled things back in the later oversthanks to Pat Brown's 3 for 40the target was still a tough one. Derbyshire's chase started disastrously, slipping to 28 for 4 within the first four overs. Despite a fighting 50 off 37 balls from Ross Whiteley and a handy 46 from skipper Wayne Madsen, the Falcons were bowled out for 141 in 17.1 overs. Hasan Ali was the star of the show with the ball, finishing with remarkable figures of 6 for 23. After picking up early wickets, he returned to clean up the lower order and claim a hat-trick. His three consecutive victims were Ross Whiteley (caught at long-off), Alex Thomson (caught at mid-on), and Ben Aitchison (bowled). George Garton also had a memorable game, equaling the T20 record for the most catches in a single innings by a non-wicketkeeper with five. He contributed with the bat too, hitting 12 runs off the final three deliveries he faced. Garton's sharp fielding helped dismiss key Derbyshire batters, including Caleb Jewell, Aneurin Donald, and David Lloyd. Derbyshire, already dealing with injuries, were without veteran all-rounder Samit Patel due to a calf issue. They had to bring in Fynn Hudson-Prentice on loan from Sussex, but he couldn't stop the team's top-order collapse. With this dominant win, the Bears continue to look like a strong, well-balanced side. Derbyshire, on the other hand, are struggling badly, having now lost all four of their matches in the competition.
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Salman Agha praises 'team effort' in win over BD
Pak T20 skipper Salman Ali Agha has been getting better with every game since taking over team's reins last year. PHOTO: AFP Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha credited team effort for their comprehensive 37-run victory over Bangladesh in the first T20I of the three-match series here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday. Reflecting on the victory, Agha lauded the batting unit's collective effort to breach the 200-run barrier despite the dismal start before emphasising that a complete all-round performance is what he craves from his team. "After being 5/2, it was great to see everyone contribute to reach 200-plus," said Agha. "That's exactly the team effort we want - performing well in all three departments. We encourage players to back themselves and take the initiative," he added. Agha specifically praised Ali for his five-wicket haul, revealing that people are saying that he was bowling like he used to in 2017, the year Pakistan won the ICC Men's Champions Trophy. "Hasan Ali has been phenomenal — people are saying he's bowling like it's 2017 again. His hard work is paying off, first in the PSL and now tonight," Agha stated. While responding to a question regarding plenty of all-rounders in the team, Agha, an all-rounder himself, termed it a real luxury, asserting that it provides him with a handful of quality options. "Our all-rounders are a real luxury. Even Saim Ayub can bowl his full four overs. With so many quality all-round options, we're in a great position. We'll rest tomorrow and regroup for the second game." Mohammad Amir roped in by Essex for T20 Blast Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has been drafted to the Essex County Cricket Club for the Vitality Blast, scheduled to commence on Thursday. The announcement was made by the club on its social media handles as it shared the pacer's pictures donning its jersey. Amir, in a video statement, shared his excitement upon the signing and urged the fans for their support. "Great to be back here and I am really happy and looking forward to seeing you all. I need your support. Please come and support us. See you all soon," the pacer stated. The Essex will kick off their T20 Blast 2025 campaign against Hampshire in a night fixture, scheduled to be played at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Friday. Mohammad Amir recently participated in this year's Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 and finished as the joint-fifth leading wicket-taker with 13 scalps in nine matches.
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Express Tribune
'I want to win World Cup for Pak'
Hasan Ali claimed a five-wicket haul during the first T20I against Bangladesh on Wednesday. Photo. AFP Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali on Thursday expressed his strong desire to help Pakistan win the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, calling every match an opportunity to prove himself after a tough battle with injury and rehabilitation. Speaking on the Pakistan Cricket Board's podcast, Hasan reflected on his journey back to the national side and the emotional weight of returning to form. "If you ask me, I want to play for Pakistan in the World Cup and win it for my country. For me, every match is now an opportunity, and I will give my 100 percent," he said. The 30-year-old made a stunning comeback on Wednesday in the first T20I against Bangladesh at Gaddafi Stadium, taking a five-wicket haul and becoming only the fourth Pakistani bowler to achieve this feat in T20Is. Hasan emphasised that while a player's performance can fluctuate, consistent effort is non-negotiable. "Performance may vary, but your effort on the field should always be visible. At the end of the day, I want to leave the field with the satisfaction that I gave my all," he said. Reflecting on his injury and the rehab phase, Hasan said the journey back was filled with challenges. "Coming back from injury is never easy. There is a unique pressure to it. I am grateful and proud that I managed to get fit again. A lot of hard work went into it, and I am finally seeing the results," Hasan said. He described his return to the Pakistan team as a dream come true and reaffirmed his determination to perform at the highest level. "It feels like a dream has come true. I am very excited and committed to performing well for the team. There is no substitute for hard work," he concluded. Nawaz wants to win Pakistan's aggressive batter Hasan Nawaz on Thursday expressed his strong determination to deliver top performances for the national team. He revealed that he has now been assigned a middle-order role, which he is fully committed to fulfilling. Hasan played a blistering innings of 44 runs off just 22 balls, including four sixes and two fours, in the first T20I against Bangladesh on Wednesday - a knock that played a key role in Pakistan's victory. The 22-year-old also impressed in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 while playing for Quetta Gladiators, where he finished as the third-highest run-scorer. Hasan amassed 399 runs in the tournament, including one century and three half-centuries. Speaking on the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) podcast, Hasan said that although he has primarily opened the batting throughout his career, he is now ready to adapt to his new responsibility in the middle order. "I have always been an opener. I did not know I could perform this well in the middle order too. But now that I have been given the role, I will try my best to fulfill it," he said. Hasan also shared that he never succumbs to pressure - rather, he thrives under it. "Whether it's domestic cricket or the PSL, I have never felt pressure. I actually play better under pressure, and that is why my performance remains strong." Expressing his ambitions, Hasan said he aims to play and win as many matches as possible for Pakistan. He also dreams of being part of a World Cup-winning squad. "My goal is to play and win more matches for Pakistan. My dream is to be part of the team whenever Pakistan wins a major trophy," he concluded.
