Hassan Ali eyes Hashim Amla's wicket in Independence Cup

Published September 8, 2017
Hassan Ali speaks at a press conference ahead of World XI series in lahore next week. —DawnNews
Hassan Ali speaks at a press conference ahead of World XI series in lahore next week. —DawnNews

Bowling sensation Hassan Ali said on Friday he wants to bowl out South Africa's Hashim Amla when he plays his first international match before a home crowd at next week's World XI tour in Lahore.

Ali, 23, the highest wicket-taker at the Champions Trophy which the underdog Pakistan side won earlier this year, said he “can't wait” to take on the star-studded World XI in the three-match Twenty20 series.

It is the highest-profile international fixture to take place in Pakistan since the deadly militant attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team eight years ago drove international cricket — and most other sports — from the country.

“This is my first international match on my home ground in Pakistan. I'm very excited to play in front of my home crowd on my home ground,” he told reporters after a practice session at the stadium on Friday.

The attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March 2009, which killed eight people and wounded nine, isolated Pakistan, forcing it to host its “home” fixtures at neutral venues.

Ali said he was “sad” about this, but put the international players who are coming for the World XI on notice, especially Amla.

“The World XI is a good team, it has very good players, I will try to bowl well to all of them. Especially I would like to out brother Hashim Amla, it would give me more pleasure,” he said.

He said he would partner with strike bowler Mohammad Aamir to take as many wickets as possible.

“There are partnerships in bowling too just like batting. If one bowler in the pair is being thrashed, the other tries to contain, so there is no competition.”

He said coaches were working on fitness and his reverse swing at training.

The government is preparing to deploy several thousand security forces in Lahore for the series, scheduled to begin on September 12.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...