May 29, 2017
BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan’s young fast bowler Hassan Ali has set high goals for the ICC Champions Trophy in England as the 23-year-old bowler from Mandi Bahauddin said he wants to grab the best bowler title in the tournament.
Talking exclusively to Geo.tv after Pakistan’s warm-up match against Australia, which was called off due to rain in Birmingham, Hassan said that he is under no pressure in the tournament and looking forward to all the big matches.
“I am under no pressure, not at all,” Hassan said when asked if he is feeling the heat of high-voltage cricket encounter against India.
Hassan, who has represented Pakistan in 16 ODIs, said that he has played matches against big teams like Australia and England which boosted his confidence and he’s ready for the match against India.
Replying to a question, Hassan said that although he rates Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan as tough batsmen but for him, every player is on his target.
“I don’t have any one particular target, every member of the team is same for me, India is a good batting side and I will try to give my best against the arch rivals,” said Hassan.
“I am excited for the match and looking forward to it. India versus Pakistan games are always considered big encounters. If I am given a chance in the match then I will give my 100%,” he said.
Hassan played a crucial role in Pakistan’s two-wicket win against Bangladesh in the first warm-up match of ICC Champions Trophy with Faheem Ashraf.
Many believe that duo of Hassan Ali and Faheem Ashraf can do what Azhar Mahmood and Abdul Razzaq used to do in past for the country.
Hassan says that he can try to play like Azhar and Razzaq, but they were top players and it is too early for him to be compared with them.
“I can try to play like them or play the role they used to have in the team. But to say that I can be what Razzaq or Azhar Mahmood were for Pakistan is not something I agree with at the moment, they were legends.” Hassan said
