Hasan Ali performs signature celebration on Wagah border

LAHORE: Hasan Ali amazed the crowd with his signature celebration at the Wagah border during the flag-lowering ceremony on Saturday.

While the Pakistani soldiers at the India-Pakistan border were putting up the usual evening show, the young pacer went up to the boundary and performed his ‘explosive’ style.

WATCH VIDEO:

Pakistan cricket team visited Wagah border on Saturday ahead of leaving for the tour of Ireland and England tour.

All-format captain Sarfraz Ahmed made the call while addressing a press conference on the last day of the training camp at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

He said the sole purpose to visit the Pakistan-India border was to get some energy and boost.

“Boys will raise slogans and enjoy some time there; I am sure this exercise would help them to increase the morale level for upcoming crucial Test series against England,” Sarfraz explained.

Meanwhile, the skipper dismissed the rumours that Fawad Alam had not been picked on the basis of his batting techniques or any issues with the management.

He said, “This is completely false that Fawad was not picked up on the bases of techniques, management issue or any other fault in him.”

“Fawad has not played a Test since 2009 but he was called to the camp as one of the probable players who could’ve been selected for the upcoming tour. Just because he was called it does not mean it was a done deal that he would be selected for the team. Since Usman Salahuddin and Saad Ali performed better, hence they were picked,” he explained.

The Pakistani middle-order was once again questioned, with the 16-member squad going to England consisting of four opening batsmen and a spinner and a wobbly followup which could turn dangerous for Pakistan against a team such as England. Shahdab Khan being the only spinner in the team could also be a cause for concern.

However, Sarfraz shared that they had called four spinners to the camp, of which Shahdab Khan had been the best.

With the conditions in England being cold, Sarfraz hinted that there was a possibility that they might bench the spinner and instead rely on a non-regular spinner like Haris Sohail and Asad Shafiq.

The Pakistani captain also added that he was looking forward to their encounter against Ireland who would be playing their first ever Test match.

Pakistan will take on Ireland in a test match on May 11, before playing a two-match Test series against England from May 24.