One of the finest bowlers from England James Anderson awarded Hasan Ali county cap before Lancashire's county championship fixture against Essex in a ceremony at Emirates Old Trafford.
Hasan Ali and James Anderson have bowled as a pair earlier in the championship. The Pakistan quick has picked 24 wickets at an astounding average of 17.5.
Ali was offered previously to play for Leicestershire, Surrey, Kent, and Gloucestershire but he was unwilling to ink a deal. However, a shorter-stint opportunity with Lancashire suited him and he has enjoyed a lot of success thus far not to mention relished the opportunity to play alongside James Anderson.
“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 has enjoyed bowling with Ali and has been impressed with his bowling display.
“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.
Hasan made his Test debut for Pakistan in 2017 against West Indies; he picked 74 wickets in 19 matches. He said the driving force to play County Cricket came from the fact the legend Wasim Akram learned a lot from his County experience.
“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.”
After playing the first six county games, Hasan will fly back home. Anderson said he would like to see him back on England soil in the future.
“I hope this isn’t the last we see of you. We’d love to have you back in the future.”