Fast bowlers always play a vital role in the success of any cricket team. They are the front-line soldiers to attack the opposition. Without wicket-taking fast bowlers, a team’s success in any game, especially in ODIs, is difficult.

Pakistan cricket has been lucky to have great fast bowlers right from the beginning. From Fazal Mahmood to Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan has produced many world-class fast bowlers, including Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

It was because of the fast bowlers that Pakistan won so many matches despite having a fragile batting line, not only at home but abroad too.

Hasan Ali is one of the leading fast bowlers of Pakistan currently. After the retirement of Amir and before induction of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, Hasan was considered the leader of Pakistan pace attack.

He became a megastar during the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. From his ODI debut to Champions Trophy final in June 2017, he played 21 ODIs in which he took 42 wickets, averaging 22.66. In five matches of the Champions Trophy he grabbed 13 wickets.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain about Hasan Ali said that “You need a wicket, you go to Hasan Ali.”

With his outstanding performance in 2017, Hasan became the number one bowler in ODI cricket. He displaced South African spinner Imran Tahir from the top position. But then he lost his rhythm. In the next 32 ODIs, he took 40 wickets at a high average of 37.25.

He is still one of the best fast bowlers in that Pakistani squad. Reverse-swing, slow balls, solid yorkers, and a skiddy bouncer are his potent weapons. His ability to strike regular middle-overs blows is a key skill.

But recurring injuries have unsettled him and his under-par performance forced him out of the national squad. Recently he went back to domestic cricket and started his comeback journey. He proved his fitness in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy.

As he picked only five wickets in his last four Test matches, Hasan was dropped from the squad for the three-match series at home against England in December.

Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf’s absence again opened the doors for Hasan and he got a chance in the second Test against New Zealand in Karachi.

In the first innings, he failed to deliver and remained wicket-less, conceding 72 runs in 23 overs. His performance in the Test shows that Hasan has not yet recovered his form.

Hasan made his Test debut against West Indies at Roseau in May 2017 — 3-55 was his match figure. Hasan has played 22 Tests so far, in which he took 78 wickets at an average of 25.50.

In 2021, when South Africa toured Pakistan for a Test series, Hasan took 10 wickets in the second Test in Rawalpindi and guided the home side to a 2-0 series win.

In July 2022, Pakistan toured Sri Lanka for two-match Test series. The series finished 1-1. Hasan took only three wickets in the series.

Last year, due to injuries, Hasan was dropped from both squads for the ODI series in the Netherlands as well for the Asia Cup T20Is last month.

The year 2019 was his worst. He played 12 ODIs and took only seven wickets at an exceptionally high average of 82.14.

The year 2020 was a tough year too. He suffered serious injuries, and went through various surgeries and treatments.

Hasan had a terrible PSL 2022 season, playing nine matches and picking up just nine wickets an average and economy of 34.37 and 8.59, respectively

In the World Cup match against India, Hasan failed miserably. He lost his line, length and control on the ball, as a result conceding 84 for one wicket in nine overs. Indian batsmen hit him for eight fours and three sixes.

Hasan played only three one-day internationals in 2022. He took two wickets in the last ODI against West Indies. But earlier against Australia and West Indies, he had remained wicket-less.

In the presence of Shaheen, Haris and Naseem, it will be difficult for Hasan to retain his place in the national squad, if he doesn’t improve his performance soon.

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