CT 2017, Semi-final 1, England v Pakistan: CT Player of the Match - Hasan Ali

There seems to be some sort of split-personality disorder haunting the Pakistan Cricket Team in the ongoing edition of the ICC Champions Trophy. Having played four games, they’ve altered between immaturity and professionalism. India outplayed them, and Pakistan almost succumbed to panic against Sri Lanka. However, the matches against South Africa and England seemed like a walk in the park.

Speaking of professionalism, there’s one bowler who has come of age in this major tournament. Hasan Ali’s performances have just got better with each game, and he brought out his very best against favourites England in the semi-final. He came into bowl as late as the 16th over, moreover after having dropped a tough chance at gully just before he loaded up for his first ball.

An impact straightaway

Pakistan were still brawling against the opposition. Root and Bairstow were steadily keeping the scoreboard ticking. Nevertheless, Hasan provided his side with a breakthrough straightaway. Johnny Bairstow, who was looking threatening as he neared his fifty, misjudged a short delivery, thus lolly popping a top-edge which was safely pouched at deep square leg.

Hasan’s introduction once again did the trick for Pakistan in the 32nd over. Skipper Eoin Morgan fell victim to the speedster who edged one to the keeper. Hasan was turning out to be Pakistan’s talisman – he created the wicket-taking deliveries and also maintained the economy.

Meanwhile, Junaid Khan chipped in with a couple of wickets as well. All of a sudden, England’s ship was sinking with seven batsmen back in the hut. They’d clearly collided with the rock-solid iceberg that was the Pakistani pace attack. With 5 overs to go, England had only 187 on the board. The hosts hope rested on their crisis-man Ben Stokes, who had struggled for runs but was still at the crease.

Hasan Ali gets rids of the Big Ben

Hasan Ali put England in severe danger of being bowled out after removing Stokes. A cleverly executed slower ball plopped gently into the hands of mid-off and the English allrounder was on his way. Pakistan’s other pacers then wrapped up the English innings for a meagre 211.

While India is known to produce some of the best batsmen and an exceptional crop of spinners, their neighbours Pakistan have their hallmark in pace. Sarfraz Ahmed unleashed his entire arsenal of pacers against England, and they toppled the hosts in unison. Debutant Rumman Raees and left-arm pacer Junaid Khan bagged two apiece. The pick of the bowlers was, of course, Hasan Ali, who seems to be having a wicket-fest since he received a hammering from the Indian batsmen. The three-fours have become a regular affair for Hasan now, and the speedster already has 10 wickets in the mega-event.

Getting to the target was no biggie for the likes of Azhar Ali and Fakhar Zaman, and thus Pakistan entered their first ICC Champions Trophy final. The credit deservedly goes to the pacers who set up a paltry target for the batsmen to jog to. In particular, Hasan Ali bowled with intensity, intelligence and skillfulness to ensure Pakistan didn’t have to falter whatsoever. Their authoritative victory heralded the capability of their seamers, which has the earmarks of Pakistan’s golden era of pace.

He won his second Man of the Match and CricTracker’s Player of the Match as well.