Reports: Hasan Ali set to make a return to cricket via Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

After going through a long injury lay-off, one that saw him get reduced to the sidelines for a period of more than two months, Pakistan all-rounder Hasan Ali is all set to make his return to competitive cricket. The charismatic all-rounder, who suffered the ignominy of becoming the Pakistani bowler to register the most-expensive figures in a World Cup fixture, when he conceded 1-84 against arch-rivals India at Old Trafford earlier this year, was dropped midway through the tournament and hasn’t yet featured in an International fixture since.

Hasan Ali missed out on the home series against Sri Lanka back in September before proceeding to miss out on the National T20 Cup- Pakistan’s premier domestic T20 competition and could only take part in a solitary FC fixture of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy due to issues in his lower back.

Hasan Ali set to return to competitive cricket

But, now, according to the official of domestic team Central Punjab, as reported by Geo Tv, Ali is all-but-set to make his return and join his team for the next match.

“Hassan Ali is coming to join us ahead of the next match. Faheem Ashraf will also join us before the final,” said Ejaz Ahmed junior, the head coach of Central Punjab team as quoted by Geo Tv.

It is to be noted that Hassan Ali’s sole first-class outing came against Southern Punjab back in September in Lahore, post which he sustained a back injury, subsequently ruling him out for the next two months. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s director sports and medical sciences Dr. Sohail Saleem has also paved the way for the return of the all-rounder.

“Hasan Ali has shown improvement over the past few weeks during his rehabilitation program at the National Cricket Academy. He has been practicing in nets of late and bowled seven overs in a club match without any discomfort today. I am confident that he will play the ninth round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.” the doctor said.

This provides a great opportunity for the out-of-favor all-rounder to slot his way back into the national set-up especially with two home Tests looming against Sri Lanka in December.

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