Pakistan‘s fast bowler Hasan Ali provided a comical moment during the opening day of the Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Galle on July 16.
Acting as a water boy for Pakistan, Hasan Ali sprinted off the field towards the pavilion, evoking laughter from onlookers. The incident occurred during the 45th over of the Sri Lankan innings, bowled by Nauman Ali, while Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva were at the crease.
In a video capturing the scene, Hasan Ali, aged 29, can be seen dashing with additional sunglasses and ensuring his cap doesn’t fall to the ground.
Part time cricketer full time entertainer = Hassan Ali 🤣🤣#PAKvsSL #BabarAzam𓃵 #earthquake asif rizwan #SeharKhan #SLvsPAK pic.twitter.com/MpSDoZ5e0F
— Ali Arslan (القدس في العيون) (@Aliarslan_18) July 16, 2023
The commentators couldn’t help but chuckle, expressing their amusement at Hasan’s antics. Although Hasan Ali was not selected to play in the first Test against Sri Lanka, he played his last Test match against New Zealand in January.
In the first Test, Sri Lanka chooses to bat against Pakistan led by Hasan Ali
At Day 1, Tea ☕ – Sri Lanka 185/5 (48.1 ovs)#SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/IjSM2ABhhO
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 16, 2023
Winning the toss, Sri Lanka’s captain Dimuth Karunaratne chose to bat first against Pakistan, led by Babar Azam. The hosts included Kasun Rajitha in their playing XI after his absence from the two-Test series against Ireland.
Speaking at the toss, Karunaratne acknowledged the turning nature of the pitch and expressed confidence in his team’s ability to adapt to the conditions. Pakistan, on the other hand, opted for two fast bowlers and two spinners in their lineup. Notably, Shaheen Afridi made his Test comeback after missing the home series against England and New Zealand due to a knee injury.
Currently, Sri Lanka had reached a score of 185 runs with five wickets down in 48.1 overs, and Dhananjaya de Silva and Sadeera Samarawickrama were the batsmen in play. The last batsman to be dismissed was Angelo Mathews, who scored 64 runs. Among the Pakistani bowlers, Shaheen Afridi stood out, taking three wickets, while Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed claimed one wicket each.
The Sri Lankan playing XI comprised of Dimuth Karunaratne as captain, accompanied by Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Sadeera Samarawickrama as the wicketkeeper, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, and Kasun Rajitha.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s playing XI featured Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam as captain, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed as the wicketkeeper, Agha Salman, Nauman Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah.
Hasan Ali’s sprinting escapade brought lightheartedness to the cricket field, providing a moment of laughter amid the competitive atmosphere of the Test match.
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