‘Pakistan Cricket will miss you’- Hasan Ali pays tribute to former bowling coach Azhar Mahmood

Back in November 2016, Azhar Mahmood, the former Pakistan cricketer, was appointed as the bowling coach of the Pakistan national team. Under his tutelage, a number of fast bowlers, including the likes of Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and many others, have flourished. However, the veteran won’t be a part of the Men in Green anymore.

Pakistan had a disastrous campaign in the 2019 World Cup where they couldn’t progress beyond the league stages. The team, led by Sarfaraz Ahmed, could only manage 11 points from nine matches and was edged out by New Zealand on Net Run Rate. During the tournament, the team came under severe criticism from the supporters, especially after the defeat at the hands of India.

To discuss the team’s performance, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) committee, which includes Wasim Akram and Misbah-ul-Haq, met In Lahore on August 2. In the meeting, it was decided that the whole coaching staff would undergo a change. It meant that Mahmood, along with head coach Mickey Arthur, who was there for the last three years, had to face the axe.

Hasan Ali expresses gratitude

Recently, it was also learned that Sarfaraz was relieved of Test captaincy and Azhar Ali’s name is being contemplated for the role. In the meantime, Hasan Ali got emotional after Mahmood’s exit. The speedster thanked him for his contributions towards Pakistan cricket. Moreover, the 25-year-old pacer also dedicated a few of his stupendous performances to Mahmood.

Hasan took to Twitter and wrote, “Thanku @AzharMahmood11 4 all ur hard work & 4passing on ur knowledge & experience 2our young bowlers. Your mentoring & trust in me helped me achieve so much. I dedicate 1 of many best performances 2u The CT17 man of the tournament & PakVsNz test match. PAK cricket will miss u,”

Here is Hasan Ali’s tweet

Hasan didn’t have the best of World Cups by any stretch of the imaginations. He played four matches and could only pick up a couple of wickets. He was dropped following the match versus India in Manchester where he conceded 84 runs. Hasan is now set to get married on August 20 with Shamia Arzoo, an Indian girl from Mewat district of Haryana.

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