Hasan Ali ready to spearhead Pakistan's pace attack

Lahore [Pakistan], October 10 (ANI): Hasan Ali announced his arrival at the world stage during Pakistan's successful ICC Champions Trophy campaign in 2017 when he was named as the best bowler of the tournament. That was Hasan's first global event after the pacer had made his Pakistan debut in 2016.

The upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which begins for Pakistan on October 24 with a high-octane clash against India, will be Hasan's first T20 World Cup and the 27-year-old is eager to spearhead Pakistan's pace attack with his "exemplary performances".

"I want to lead my side's pace attack and put up exemplary performances," Hasan, who has 52 T20I wickets at 21.7 apiece, told a virtual media conference on Sunday morning.

"We have played a lot of cricket in the UAE and understand the conditions there. The pitches there are on the slower side and I hardly see a team scoring 200 there. The key will be to bowl according to the situation and bring in variations."

After the clash with India at Dubai, Pakistan will take on New Zealand at Sharjah on October 26, following which they will return to Dubai to play Afghanistan on October 29. They will play their last two matches against the sides who qualify from round one on November 2 and 7.

Pakistan, on Sunday, began their pre-departure preparations with a gym session at Lahore's National High-Performance Centre. Before their departure on October 15, the touring party will feature in a scenario-based match on October 14 at the Gaddafi Stadium.

With two weeks left in Pakistan's tournament opener, Hasan said the side is looking to make the most of the time at hand.

"This is a global tournament and every game is important here. We have good two weeks before our first game and we will utilise it as much as possible," he added. (ANI)