Hasan Ali

Hasan Ali is a Pakistani international cricketer who represents the national team in all formats. He functions as a right-arm medium fast bowler and holds the record as the quickest bowler for Pakistan to reach 50 wickets in ODIs. During his career, he has contributed to major victories including the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.

Early life and education

Ali was born on 2 July 1994 in Ladhe Wala Waraich near Gujranwala. His family encouraged his interest in cricket from a young age. He received early coaching and mentorship from Ansar Zafar Rathore and his elder brother, Ata-ur-Rehman. Ali trained at the Rathore's Young Combine Star Club in Gujranwala, which is a facility where other international players like Imran Nazir have practiced.

His formal training began when he was 10 years old. He maintained a rigorous physical fitness routine that included up to eight hours of daily gym work. By the age of 14, his rapid progress led to his selection for the city's U16 side.

Career

Ali joined the Pakistan ODI squad in August 2016 for a series against England and Ireland. He made his ODI debut against Ireland on 18 August 2016, and he later debuted in Twenty20 Internationals against England on 7 September 2016. His first five-wicket haul in ODIs occurred against Australia on 22 January 2017. After adding to his experience, he joined the Test squad in April 2017 and made his debut against the West Indies on 10 May 2017.

The year 2017 proved to be a landmark period for the bowler. He participated in the ICC Champions Trophy where Pakistan defeated India by 180 runs to win the title. Ali took 13 wickets during that tournament—making him the joint leading wicket-taker in any Champions Trophy alongside Jerome Taylor—and he earned the Golden Ball. In October 2017, he became the fastest Pakistani bowler to reach 50 ODI wickets in terms of matches played. He also reached the top of the ICC ODI bowling rankings after 426 days from his debut.

In the domestic circuit, Ali was recruited by Peshawar Zalmi for the 2016 Pakistan Super League. He finished as the team's second-highest wicket-taker in 2017 with 12 wickets. During the 2019 season, he became the leading wicket-taker in the competition with 25 dismissals and earned the Bowler of the Tournament title. His domestic success continued in January 2021 when he scored a century in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final. He was subsequently named the player of that tournament and captained Central Punjab for the 2020–21 Pakistan Cup.

Ali has also participated in various global leagues. He signed with Islamabad United for the 2022 Pakistan Super League, but he was later traded to Karachi Kings in 2023 in exchange for Imad Wasim. In March 2022, he played six matches for Lancashire County Cricket Club in England. Most recently, he was picked by the Adelaide Strikers for BBL 15 during the draft on 19 June 2025.

Personal life

In 2019, Ali married Samiya Arzoo in Dubai. Arzoo is originally from Faridabad, India, and she studied Aeronautical engineering at the Manav Rachna Institute before moving to Dubai to work for Emirates airline. The couple has three children, consisting of two daughters and one son.

Awards and recognition

Ali received several prestigious honors throughout his professional career. He was named the ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year and the PCB's Emerging Player of the Year in 2017. That same year, he earned a place in the ICC World ODI XI.

His accolades continued into subsequent years. He won the PCB's ODI Player of the Year award in 2018 and was named the PCB's Test Cricketer of the Year in 2021. Additionally, he was selected for the ICC Men's Test Team of the Year in 2021.