Hasan eyes Asia Cup, T20 World Cup

Express Tribune

3 days ago

Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali has expressed his views about his potential participation in the upcoming Asia Cup and T20 World Cup 2026.
In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, the pacer shared that his selection will depend entirely on his performance in the coming months.
Talking about the importance of delivering strong performances, Hasan said,"If I perform well, the team management will definitely give me a chance. Representing Pakistan is an honour for me. I always try to give 110 percent and aim to do something for the country and the fans."
Reflecting on his international journey, Hasan opened up about the ups and downs he has faced over the years.
"Since my international debut on August 18, 2016, I have experienced many ups and downs over the course of my nine-year career, but I never let my love and passion for cricket weaken. I've always learned that each morning brings new hope, and as long as your hands and feet are functional, you should keep working hard," he added.
Despite being a regular part of discussions around Pakistan's fast bowling depth, Hasan Ali has not been included in the squad for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. According to sources his exclusion is due to county commitments in England.
The pacer went on to praise former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed for his leadership, achievements, and strong bond with the team.
Speaking about Sarfaraz's influence and leadership qualities, Hasan said, "Sarfaraz is closest to our hearts. He led us to victory in the Champions Trophy, kept the team united, and took us all along with him. Spending time with him was a learning experience."
Hasan also spoke about another teammate, highlighting his captaincy style.
"Similarly, Shadab Khan is an aggressive captain," he added.
Sarfaraz Ahmed captained Pakistan to several memorable wins, including the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy triumph, and remains a respected figure among current and former players.
Under his captaincy, Pakistan also won 11 consecutive T20I series.
He opened up about the reason behind his famous phrase "King kar lay ga," which became popular among fans and media.
The pacer shared the emotional connection behind those words and praised Babar Azam for his consistency and class.
Speaking about the phrase, Hasan said, "The phrase 'King kar lay ga' (King will do it) came not just from my mouth, but from my heart."
He went on to praise Babar Azam's talent and leadership qualities, calling him one of the best batters of this era.
"Babar has proven with his performance and attitude that he is the best batter of this era. We all gave him the title of 'King'. Although he unfortunately couldn't win the trophy, he is still considered among Pakistan's best captains," Hasan said.
Explaining his famous quote further, Hasan added, "That line came straight from the heart, not just the tongue. Legendary players like Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Joe Root praise his batting. If you ask people whether Babar's cover drive is better or Kohli's, most would choose Babar."
He recalled a painful moment in his cricket career that he says will stay with him forever.
Hasan opened up about the dropped catch during the 2021 T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia — a moment he believes changed the course of the match and possibly the tournament.
Speaking about that incident, Hasan said, "Dropping that catch in the World Cup is a moment that will stay with me forever."
He admitted that the catch should have been taken and accepted that it might have cost Pakistan a place in the final.
"If I had taken that catch, maybe we would have won the match and then possibly lifted the trophy too. That label - that I dropped that catch - will always stay with me," he said.
Hasan also spoke about how the reaction from fans affected him.
"I deeply respect my fans, whether they remember me with kind words or harsh ones — all are respectable to me. True fans always stood by me. When I dropped that catch, many people turned their backs on me, but there were also some who raised their voice in my support, defended me on social media, and spoke for me on TV. I thank all of them," he added.
Recalling a painful incident that happened after the dropped catch, he said, "Once, when I was going to the airport, someone looked at my face and hands and sarcastically asked, 'Are these the same hands that dropped the catch?' I still remember many such moments."