Wasim Akram told me to play county cricket, my experience of it has been amazing: Hasan Ali

Hasan Ali was awarded his county cap ahead of Lancashire’s County Championship match against Essex, in a special presentation at Emirates Old Trafford. Ali was awarded the county cap by the veteran Jimmy Anderson, who has bowled alongside the Pakistani quick in the Championship this season. Before the start of this match, Hasan bagged 24 wickets at an impressive average of 17.5.

It wasn’t the first time that a county side had approached the Pakistani quick as he had previously turned down offers from Leicestershire, Surrey, Kent, and Gloucestershire. But a shorter contract offer from Lancashire tempted the all-rounder to ply his trade in English conditions. The opportunity to play alongside legendary Jimmy Anderson might have also been a factor.

“At my stage, there are lots of things still to learn,” Hasan said. “When I heard I was going to play for Lancashire, the first thing that came into my mind was Jimmy Anderson. I decided that I was going to learn from Jimmy bhai, how he has been so brilliant for such a long time. He is 39 years old, and still, he is coming in really hard. I asked him which things are going to make me still hungry and still passionate … about the swing and the wrist position.”

Anderson was quite impressed with the pacer’s performances in county cricket. “Hasan Ali is an absolute legend, great guy, great bowler,” “He is quite quick, and he gives it everything, every ball. He’s been amazing for Lancashire, he’s got skills. It’s been great bowling with him,” Anderson told the BBC’s Tailenders podcast.

Playing county cricket was a childhood dream: Hasan Ali

Hasan made his Test debut for Pakistan in 2017 against West Indies. The pacer has bagged 74 wickets in 19 games since then and has been quite influential with the red ball. He is no stranger to these shores, but playing county cricket is something the pacer had never experienced before. He revealed that the inspiration behind his decision to join the County Championship came from Wasim Akram.

“In Pakistan, since childhood, we heard about county cricket. I got an opportunity thanks to Lancashire and I grabbed it with both hands. It is like a dream come true. Wasim Akram told me ‘you should go to play county cricket; and finally, I’m here and it is amazing. It has been a pleasure.”

Hasan had signed for the first six county championship matches. He will return to Pakistan after the game against Essex. As the pacer enters the last few days of his contract, Jimmy Anderson hopes that he will get to see more of him on this soil. “I hope this isn’t the last we see of you. We’d love to have you back in the future.”