Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali has had an incredible journey in international cricket so far. From the highs of the 2017 Champions Trophy final win against India to the lows of a subsequent career-threatening back injury, Hasan has seen it all within a space of a few years.
The years 2019 and 2020 were especially rough on Hasan, with back, rib and groin injuries pushing him further towards the margins of Pakistan cricket. Like many other talented Pakistan quicks, it seemed he too would be forgotten.
But the 26-year-old did not throw in the towel. He took the tougher route back into contention - first-class cricket. In the final of the domestic Quaid-e-Azam trophy in January, Hasan took five wickets while captaining Central Punjab against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and scored a title-winning century while chasing in the fourth innings.
Hasan's resurgence on the domestic circuit, and improved fitness, saw the all-rounder return to all three formats for Pakistan. He took 10 wickets in the second Test against South Africa in February, and hasn't looked back since. In 2021, Hasan has picked up 26 wickets in four Tests - against South Africa and Zimbabwe - and 13 in six T20s.
Following a respectable Pakistan Super League, that concluded recently in Abu Dhabi where he finished with 13 wickets from 10 games, the right-arm pacer is preparing for the next destination in his comeback journey - England.
I always love to play in the UK. It always reminds me of the 2017 Champions Trophy victory
Hasan Ali
Pakistan play three ODIs and three T20s in England, starting from July 8, and Hasan is eager to be playing in the UK, where the conditions are ideal for his style of bowling.
"I always love to play in the UK. It always reminds me of the 2017 Champions Trophy victory. We have played a lot of cricket in UK. These conditions are perfect for my natural ability," Hasan told The National.
"The ball seams and drifts a bit when it is cloudy. I will try to do better against England."
The Champions Trophy final win over India, where he picked up three wickets, remains a highlight in Hasan's career. He last played there during the 2019 World Cup, where he struggled throughout and went for 84 runs against India. But it's a different Hasan this time, and he is eager to reach the levels of 2017.
"Undoubtedly, the 2017 Champions Trophy was our show," he said. "I was young and enthusiastic but the experience I have with me at the moment should help my team much better."
What makes it different this time is the fact Hasan nearly lost it all and had to fight his way back, enduring some dark moments in the process.
"Those weren't easy days but the only way forward was hard work, which I never left," he said. "I kept on trying for almost two years, I had my rehab at the High Performance Centre in Lahore which helped me a lot. Above all I had the faith, trust and prayers of my family. My wife and my mother offered me what no one else could.
"So it was hard work, belief and trust which kept me motivated. In the meantime I spent more time on my batting, especially hard-hitting. To be honest, I like hitting and I always enjoy batting. If you have bowling skills and you start enjoying your batting as well, what else would do you need?"
With so much happening within a short span, and especially after a long period in the wilderness, the questions arises - how much is too much?
Hasan is now playing almost non-stop, across formats. He is sure to be an important member of the Pakistan team at the T20 World Cup in the UAE in October. Burnout is always a concern with fast bowlers, but Hasan - who travels to the West Indies after the England series - believes now is the time to capitalise.
"We have got an opportunity to play against England and West Indies in the next two months. One is a world champion in 50-over format and other the T20 winners," he said.
"After that we have series against New Zealand and England. It will be a perfect opportunity to test our skills and potential right before a global event.
"Our team management always tries to manage the workload of players. So as a fast bowler I am comfortable with the current plan of our team management."
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Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
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Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
liverpool youngsters
Ki-Jana Hoever
The only one of this squad to have scored for Liverpool, the versatile Dutchman impressed on his debut at Wolves in January. He can play right-back, centre-back or in midfield.
Herbie Kane
Not the most prominent H Kane in English football but a 21-year-old Bristolian who had a fine season on loan at Doncaster last year. He is an all-action midfielder.
Luis Longstaff
Signed from Newcastle but no relation to United’s brothers Sean and Matty, Luis is a winger. An England Under-16 international, he helped Liverpool win the FA Youth Cup last season.
Yasser Larouci
An 18-year-old Algerian-born winger who can also play as a left-back, Larouci did well on Liverpool’s pre-season tour until an awful tackle by a Sevilla player injured him.
Adam Lewis
Steven Gerrard is a fan of his fellow Scouser, who has been on Liverpool’s books since he was in the Under-6s, Lewis was a midfielder, but has been converted into a left-back.
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
Company profile
Company: Eighty6
Date started: October 2021
Founders: Abdul Kader Saadi and Anwar Nusseibeh
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Hospitality
Size: 25 employees
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investment: $1 million
Investors: Seed funding, angel investors
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- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
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- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
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'Dark Waters'
Directed by: Todd Haynes
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, William Jackson Harper
Rating: ****
Hot%20Seat
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
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New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Oppenheimer
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TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Racecard
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp
Torque: 240Nm
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TICKETS
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
Company%20Profile
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
