KARACHI: Having made a remarkable comeback from injury, fast-bowling all-rounder Hasan Ali is eyeing a successful campaign with Islamabad United in the coronavirus-disrupted HBL-Pakistan Super League season, which resumes in Abu Dhabi next week.

That, he believes, would be the springboard for him to do even better at the upcoming ICC World Twenty20, which is likely to be held in the United Arab Emirates.

“I’m happy with how I’ve come back from being on the sidelines,” Hasan told DawnNews programme Replay. “It wasn’t easy being out of the game which I love and I’m glad that my hard work has paid off and I’m feeling very good about my game.

“I worked on my batting as well when I was out of the team and I want to contribute with both bat and ball.”

Hasan was an influential member of the Pakistan team which won the Champions Trophy in 2017 and four years on, he’s hoping he can inspire Pakistan to another triumph in an ICC event.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “It’s an ultimately satisfying experience to win an international event for your country and I’m looking to do that again at the World T20.”

Hasan played for Peshawar Zalmi in the first five PSL seasons before joining United in this season’s event, which was halted in March after cases of Covid-19 emerged in the bio-secure bubble in Karachi.

“The quarantine period [in Abu Dhabi] before the remainder of the season is played wasn’t easy but we were patient and continued to train in the limited space we have in our hotel rooms,” he said. “But we’re really looking forward to doing well.”

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2021