‘There is no other way to silence the critics except performances’: Hasan Ali speaks up about his performance against Australia

Hasan Ali has been an integral part of the Pakistani bowling lineup for the past few seasons. Whenever we speak of the medium-pace bowler, it’s his iconic celebration that comes to mind. However, his performance has not been up to the mark lately.

During an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, he accepted that he is going through a rough patch. He also said that the only way he could keep his critics quiet is by performing again.

“There is no other way to silence the critics except performances. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take wickets in the home series against Australia, but that does not mean my career is decided based on that. I am a fighter and will make a strong comeback.”- Hasan said.

The pacer who is currently away playing County Championship for Lancashire reminded about the consistency in his performance since his debut. “Overall, I have performed well in all formats. If I see I am the second-best bowler in the national team since my debit, if not the first. A player cannot perform well in every match or series. In the past many great cricketers have faced criticism during their careers. Only hard work and efforts are in my hands. I will try to rectify my shortcomings,”- he added.

Ali also spoke about the support he gets from his skipper Babar Azam even when he is not able to showcase the best of his abilities. Talking about the criticism he is facing lately, he felt that it had increased after he dropped the catch in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup against Australia. But opined it is not right on part of the fans to attack the family of a player.

“Criticism by the fans of dropping a catch in the T20 World Cup semi-final is justified, I could not even sleep for two nights as the Pakistan team was playing so well and could not reach the final because of me, but it is not right to target families,” – said Hasan Ali.

He is currently playing for Lancashire in the County Championship Division One. With 20 wickets to his name in the season, Hasan Ali is the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.