5. Hasan Ali (Pakistan) Matches: 49 Wickets: 80 BB: 5/34 Ave: 26.56 Eco: 5.42

Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akthar and Mohammad Amir. All legendary Pakistan bowlers. Yet, Hasan Ali beat them all to become the fastest Pakistani bowler to 50 ODI wickets. That underlines the class of the 24-year-old. He has a craving for the big stage too, as he demonstrated two years ago when he blew away teams at the Champions Trophy to spearhead Pakistan’s surprise march to the title. In this age of batting dominance, Hasan counters with supreme skill at the death. ALL Roger Federer had to do was strike a few silky forehands in his first practice session at Roland Garros for four years to create something of a social media frenzy this week.

Ever since the 37-year-old announced he was ending his self-imposed French Open exile, anticipation has been growing and video footage of his gentle warmup on Tuesday sent his legions of fans into a frenzy.

It is 10 years since Federer claimed his one and only title on the Parisian dirt – completing his career slam with victory over Swede Robin Soderling.

He opted to skip the French Open for the past three years but a decade after lifting La Coupe des Mousquetaires Federer, returns not just for old time’s sake, but because the Swiss must truly believe he has a chance of a 21st grand slam title.

Federer showed enough in a quarter-final run in Madrid – his first claycourt tournament for three years – that he had not forgotten how to slide with the best of them. He also won a couple of rounds in Rome last week before withdrawing ahead of his match against Stefanos Tsitsipas citing a minor injury concern. |