From rags to riches: The story of Hasan Ali

Pakistan made the impossible possible in the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy. Rising from the ashes, they were crowned as the champions of the prestigious competition. The engine of Pakistan’s well-oiled machine has been their fast bowler Hasan Ali. With as many as 13 scalps in the tournament, Hasan became the leading wicket-taker of the eight edition of Champions Trophy.

But the journey has not been quite smooth for the 23-year old mesmerizer. Ali started his cricket by playing in the streets. It was his elder brother, Ataur Rahman, who identified the talent possessed by the Punjab-born cricketer. Not many years ago in 2009, Rahman decided to make a cemented pitch for his brother. From digging the ground to polishing, everything was done by Hasan and Ataur.

Hasan was dedicated towards his cricket. He used to stay in a room near the nets before his debut. He met his parents only when he wanted to take a break. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo about his past, Ali said “I started playing cricket like everyone else in Pakistan: in galli and mohalla [alleys and neighbourhood]. The biggest influence from those days has been my elder brother Ataur Rahman.”

“He didn’t get to play a lot at the domestic level, but he was a very good player. I started playing cricket after watching him. After Allah, if I have belief and respect [for anyone] it is for my brother. If I am successful today, it is because of him. For me, he sacrificed everything. Once my brother realized that I was serious about cricket, he made me a pitch in 2009.”

“It is a cement pitch on which I practice even today. We made that pitch with our own hands. We dug the ground two-feet deep, put the concrete in and asked a bricklayer to polish it.”

“Before my debut, I was not even staying home. My brother made me a room adjacent to the nets. I would only go home to freshen up and meet my parents. My brother wanted me to be always serious about my cricket,” he further added.

When asked about which was his most pleasing wicket, he said “It was Eoin Morgan’s wicket. When I returned for the second spell, the ball was reversing slightly. My plan for him was that if I could pitch on the same spot for three or four balls and put pressure on him by creating dots, he would 100% charge me. I was bowling outswing when he suddenly stepped out. I pitched it wide and he edged it, luckily for me.”

Here comes Hasan like a lion

Just like the king of the jungle, the owner of 42 ODI wickets wants to be the king amongst his rivals. “I play cricket as if I worship it. I always feel that I should not fall short of my plans. I want to play like a brave man, like a lion. I followed Vicky [Waqar Younis] bhai a lot; his aggression, his bowling [fascinates me]. But I also bowl according to the conditions. Pace [alone] does not matter. You have to ally it with your skills,” said Hasan.

Ali has acknowledged Pakistan’s bowling coach Azhar Mahmood for helping him out with bowling plans. “Azhar [Mahmood] bhai has played a very big hand in my success. He has taught me a lot about my role, about the bowling plans. He teaches me how to bowl. I always discuss opposition batsmen with him. We talk about the pitch, the ground dimensions, and even which balls will be effective or not,” said the player who picked up 3 wickets in his debut and lone Test.