LAHORE (Kashmir English): Pakistani fast bowler Hasan Ali has finally spoken out about his exclusion from the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh. In a recent interview, Hasan Ali shared that while he was informed earlier about the decision, he still doesn’t fully understand the reason behind it.
“I do not know the reason for not returning to the ODI team. The team management did what they thought was best, and I respect that,” he said. “There was an injury, but it has now improved a lot.”
He added that there had already been a discussion between him, the captain and head coach during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where it was decided that he would not be part of the Bangladesh series.
“The head coach and captain had a conversation with me. They informed me that I would not be included in this squad as they were trying to form a pool of 25 players,” said Hasan, adding that he supported the idea of strengthening the team’s bench.
The 30-year-old pacer maintained that criticism from outside did not bother him. “People don’t know the full picture. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I have nothing to do with critics.”
He added that Pakistan’s team is working on building a strong 25-player pool, and his exclusion may be part of that broader strategy. Hasan Ali made it clear that he doesn’t let outside criticism affect him and instead focuses on his performance and fitness.
Hasan also disclosed that he has obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to participate in county cricket. He reaffirmed his preference for Test cricket over the shorter formats.
“If I have to leave T20 and ODI cricket for the sake of playing Tests, then I will,” he said. “Test cricket is where performances are genuinely valued.”
In the interview, he also talked about his favorite captains, naming Sarfaraz Ahmed as someone he enjoyed playing under the most. He also praised current players like Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, and Mohammad Rizwan for their leadership qualities.
On a personal note, Hasan Ali shared a lighter moment, saying that his wife often tells him to cut his hair, but he prefers keeping it long. He also expressed pride in Pakistan’s strong response during recent tensions with India but emphasized that “war is not the solution.”
