Hasan Mohsin saw a dream in 2010 that he may live this season. “I saw a dream in 2010 where Shahid Bhai was the captain of our team and I was fielding with him during a game played at the National Stadium Karachi.
I told it to my father and he replied ‘one day you will live this dream,’ and now I think that dream may become a reality very soon.”
Hasan has shared the dressing room with some of the biggest names of cricket fraternity in the previous season of PSL, but this time his excitement is at another level as he is going to play alongside Shahid Afridi.
“I was eager in the previous season as there were some big players in our side, but I am extremely excited this time to share the dressing room with one player and that is Shahid Afridi. I have not played with him before.”
The young all-rounder is seeing Pakistan Super League as a launching pad for a glorious career. He is part of Karachi Kings’ squad for the second time, in the last season he could not make his debut. The youngster is hoping to get a chance this time around and he is determined to make it count.
“I have high expectations from myself, if I get a chance, I will perform well for my team in both batting as well as in bowling,” he said. “It is also advantageous for me as Karachi Kings’ coach is Mickey Arthur, who is also the coach of our national team so it is a big opportunity for me to impress him.”
Hasan Mohsin started playing cricket in streets. His family did not want him to proceed with the sport as his career; rather they wanted him to focus on his education. But, he had his father’s support who urged to get him admitted to a cricket academy in 2008 and took him to AO Academy.
“My father always wanted me to become a cricketer, he used to even shout at me when I could not perform, and he has supported me a lot.” After playing two years there, he moved Rashid Latif Cricket Academy (RLCA). He kept playing for the academy and joined Mughal Cricket Club of Zone 3 after some time. He played a year in that zone and then moved to Pakistan Cricket Club of Zone 6, where he got selected for district U-19 and region. With his impressive run in regional cricket, he earned a call from Pakistan U-19 side.
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He was impressive during the U-19 World Cup 2016, who emerged as the highest wicket-taker as well as the top run-scorer for Pakistan in the tournament. As per Hasan, the days after his campaign with the U-19 team were challenging for them as he found it tough to cement a place in First Class cricket.
“I learned a lot after U-19 World Cup,” said Hasan. “I had a successful U-19 World Cup campaign as an all-rounder, I played Grade II cricket from PTV, it was tough, and had a higher standard of cricket. There were big names and First Class players, but as I kept playing, I improved my skill level to match the standard of cricket there.”
Later, he returned to RLCA. The 20-year old shared the dressing room with all the big names of Karachi Kings during PSL 2017. As per the budding all-rounder, he learned much more than just cricket during the tournament.
“All players were helpful, I learned a lot of things about life,” he stated. “We had Kumar Sangakkara as our captain, there was Kieron Pollard, Chris Gayle, Shoaib Malik and other big names who taught me a lot.”
Hasan has played under Imad Wasim’s captaincy in Pakistan Cup and he had a pleasant experience playing with him. Like other players of Karachi Kings, he also rated Imad as an aggressive and understanding skipper.
“Imad Bhai is a young captain, I have a good understanding with him as I have played Pakistan Cup with him, he backs his young players and teaches a lot about different aspects of the game, it will be fun to play under his leadership.”
The young all-rounder admires Shoaib Malik as a batsman, but also as an all-rounder, he wants to become as a sensation as Abdur Razzaq. He met his idol in the last season of the league who was there with Quetta Gladiators as a part of their coaching staff.
“I asked a lot of things from Razzaq Bhai during practice sessions, he knows me well, he gave me some precious tips about bowling, batting and especially power-hitting.”
The youngster has a message for cricketers like him in the country to keep working hard and does not get disheartened. “Keep working hard and believe in yourself, self-belief is key. Have faith in God and give your 100 percent,” he said.
He asked Karachi Kings fans to support the team and also thanked them for the way they cheered for them in the first two seasons of PSL. “Keep supporting us as you have done it in the last two seasons, we need your prayers and even more support this time,” he concluded.
