Salman Butt: “Haider Ali’s form has returned”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt said it’s great to see overlooked batsman Haider Ali getting back into form.
Haider had once been seen as a future star in the making and began his international career with a bang as he made two half-centuries in his first three T20Is.
However, he was unable to maintain that momentum and eventually failed to score runs consistently enough to keep hold of his spot in the side.
The 24-year-old last played for Pakistan during the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
However, he has been active on the domestic circuit and recently featured in the Champions One-Day Cup, which was a domestic 50-over competition held in Faisalabad.
In six games for the Panthers, he amassed 157 runs, which included two fifties, at an average of 31.40.
Haider then went on to make 122 runs in two matches for Eshaal Associates in the President’s Cup Grade-I (1-Day) tournament, which included a top score of 81 not out, at an average of 122.
Salman admitted he is happy for Haider, especially given all the setbacks he has faced.
“Haider Ali’s form has returned,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
The Pakistan team recently faced Bangladesh in a two-Test series and ended up being beaten 2-0.
They are now involved in a three-match Test series against England, which is tied at 1-1.
The third Test begins on October 24 in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan Squad for 2nd and 3rd Tests against England: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Zahid Mahmood.
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