Haider Ali reveals Mohammad Yousaf's advice about power-hitting

Pakistan’s star batsman Haider Ali, while talking at a virtual press conference on Tuesday, revealed the advice given to him by legendary former batsman Mohammad Yousaf which was to occupy the crease without adding pressure early and compensating during the end with big shots.

The youngster stated that the players had learned a lot from the presence of legends such as Saqlain Mushtaq and Mohammad Yousaf in the side.

“Our practice sessions have been really good. We have learned a lot from Yousaf bhai and Saqlain bhai. We have learned from Yousaf bhai on how to develop a good temperament, how to score runs off good bowling and how to rotate strike along with many other things. It has been a great learning experience. We will try to learn more from them as time goes on,” Haider said.

“I have been playing my natural game. I have realised after talking to Yousaf bhai that standing at the crease would get me runs. I can hit the big shots and I was told to not take too much pressure and occupy the crease and later recover by hitting the big shots. We always try to give our 100 per cent. The rest is in the hands of Allah. Our task is to give our best for the team and perform wherever we are needed,” he added.

The power-hitter revealed that the Men in Green would be looking to win the T20I series three-nil in the same vein that they won the Test series against South Africa.

“The way we have won the Test series, we will be trying to win the T20 series three-nil. We lost the New Zealand series but we will try to win the next series and continue to improve in the future,” he said.

“My performances have brought a lot of expectations from me and I try to live up to those expectations. I try to be available and score runs wherever the team needs me. I will be trying my level best to help my team win,” he added.

The 20-year-old claimed that he was ready to open for the Pakistan side in the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.

“I am mentally satisfied. I have been talking to the coaches and support staff. I have no problems playing at any position for my team. I am ready to open for our side. I had been opening for my under-19 team. One down and opening does not have many differences. I am mentally ready for the spot. Every player wants to be the man of the series at the end. I will also try my best to achieve it and give my all for the side,” he concluded.

Pakistan won the recently concluded Test series against South Africa two-nil and will now move towards the T20I leg of the series which includes three fixtures that will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 11, 13 and 14 respectively.