'I was a bit nervous before the game...very happy to perform in decider' - Hasan Ali  

'I was a bit nervous before the game...very happy to perform in decider' - Hasan Ali

Hasan Ali won the player of the match award in the third T20I against Zimbabwe for his match-winning spell. Hasan Ali chipped in with wickets at regular intervals returning impressive figures of 4/18 as the run rate kept creeping up and the task became onerous for ZImbabwe in pursuit of 166. 

Wesley Madhevere's 59 kept the hosts on the rails for the first 10 overs but then Pakistan bowlers, led by experienced Hasan Ali, established their grip on the game and runs begin to dry. 

Ali was the main architect of the win today, pushing Zimbabwe on the back foot and he was charged up for today's game, raring to make an impact. The 26-year-old has been trying to redeem himself after earning a national call-up on the back of consistent performances in the domestic circuit. 

"I am very happy because it was a decider game and when you perform in an important game and win the man of the match award it gives a lot of confidence. Thanks to the fans and teammates who supported me and to the management for including me in the decider game. I managed to implement the plans given to me," said Hasan Ali.

At one stage, Madhvere and Tadiwanashe Marumani's partnership kept Zimbabwe in the hunt as they were timing the ball well and finding the odd boundary too, keeping the asking rate in check. However, as the ball got older and Pakistan bowlers started to bowl with more venom and execute slow balls to good effect, the home side chase got derailed. 

"We were just looking for a wicket because that would bring us back in the contest. The ball became rough and It wasn't an easy wicket as the ball wasn't coming nicely onto the bat. So the plan was to take a few wickets and that allowed us to come back and every bowler stepped up then. I was a bit nervous before the game and I wanted to do something different for the team and repay the faith of team management," Ali added.

With 43 wickets in 11 Tests thus far, Hasan Ali is optimistic to carry his confidence to the upcoming two Tests, set to be underway on April 29 at Harare Sports Club.

"I tried to bowl according to the match situation and I tried to keep myself calm and that gave me success. We are looking forwards to the (Test series)," Ali said. 


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