Hasan Ali wants to ‘bomb’ India in final of Champions Trophy

You can say it is a dream, but I had set a goal after the West Indies series to become the top bowler while in England.

Not Mohammad Amir, not Junaid Khan, Pakistan are looking up to rookie right-arm pacer Hasan Ali to finish India off in the on Sunday.

The 23-year-old has grabbed headlines with his wicket-taking ability and in conditions that have generally favoured batsmen, Ali has 10 scalps at an average of just 17.2, the best in Champions Trophy 2017.

It is not his wicket-taking ability that is making headlines, but his celebration style has taken fans by storm.

The spectacular celebration is a mix of Brett Lee’s clenched fist pitch punch that ends with those Shahid Afridi-like arms fully stretched in delight.

Ali explains his style resembles the ‘bursting of a bomb’ and he wants to do this “at least threefour-five times” against India, chasing their third Champions trophy title.

He picked three wickets each against South Africa, Sri Lanka and England (in the semis) and Ali is being seen as the man who can hit India hard.

“You can say that it is a dream, but I had set a goal after the West Indies series to become the top bowler while in England.

“I am close to my goal and will try to maintain my title of top wicket-taker till the end of final,” Ali said, adding that he was “not under pressure” in the final.

Armed with medium pace, Ali started his first-class career at 19. His success at club cricket and the National T20 Cup won him a Pakistan cap in 2016.

He made his ODI debut against Ireland in Dublin on August 18, 2016 and went wicketless in five overs.

Cardiff, where he broke England’s back in the Champions Trophy semis with figures of 3 for 35, is a happy hunting ground for the quickie. He took 4 for 60 in September 2016 to help Pakistan win by four wickets.

That Ali has big-match temperament is proven by the fact his two five-wicket hauls came against Australia (5 for 52) in Sydney (Jan 22, 2017) and recently against Windies (5 for 38) in Providence (April 9, 2017).

He came into the Champions Trophy with 29 wickets and has been the tournament’s most striking pacer.