Hasan Ali was among the wickets once again as Pakistan sealed a 2-0 Test series win over Zimbabwe on Monday.

Innings figures of 5-27 were a new Test-best for Hasan and another notable landmark moment in his comeback to the Pakistan set-up.

A star performer in Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy win, Hasan was absent from the international arena for 18 months after a disappointing World Cup campaign in 2019 – various injuries played a key role and he went on to lose his central contract last year.

But 2021 has been a memorable year so far, with Hasan launching himself back into international cricket after taking 43 wickets for Central Punjab at an average of 20 in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy as his side shared the title with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In four Tests – two each against South Africa and Zimbabwe – Hasan has taken 26 wickets at an average of 13.88, recording four five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket match haul in the process. His haul of 10-114 against South Africa was only the second time since 2006 that a Pakistan seamer has taken 10 wickets in a Test match.

Prior to this year, Hasan had taken 31 wickets in nine Tests at 28.90, recording one five-for in the process. At this moment in time, no fast bowler has taken more Test wickets this year than Hasan. Furthermore, of bowlers to have taken at least 15 Test wickets in 2021, no one has a better strike rate than Hasan (25.8).

There have been positive signs in white-ball cricket, too. While he conceded 76 runs upon his ODI return against South Africa, six T20Is this year have returned 13 wickets at an average of 13.69 and a career-best T20I haul of 4-18 against Zimbabwe last month. No other quick has taken as many T20I wickets so far this year. His trademark celebration has become a regular sight once again.

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