Cricket has a way of throwing up stories that make you fall in love with the game all over again. Sometimes it’s a breathtaking century; sometimes it’s a bowler who turns matches on their head with sheer will. In 2017, that bowler was Hasan Ali — a wiry fast bowler from Pakistan who stormed the cricketing world with his relentless energy and infectious smile.
By the year’s end, Hasan had done more than climb to No. 1 in the ICC ODI rankings. He had claimed 45 wickets in 18 matches, the most by any bowler that year, and cemented himself as the ICC’s Best Bowler of 2017. His rise was the story of a young man carrying the weight of a nation’s expectations, armed with nothing but self-belief and raw talent.
From Gujranwala’s Streets to the World Stage
Hasan Ali didn’t come from privilege. He grew up in Gujranwala, a bustling industrial town where wrestling akharas and food markets overshadow cricket grounds. With no access to world-class facilities, Hasan learned his craft on bumpy pitches and makeshift nets, bowling until his arms ached.
By early 2017, he was still just a name in Pakistan’s larger pool of pacers. He wasn’t the spearhead of the attack, not yet. But what he did have was a rare hunger — the kind of desire that made him charge in every delivery as if the game depended on it.
Champions Trophy 2017: Where Dreams Took Flight
For Hasan, the defining moment came in June at the ICC Champions Trophy in England. Pakistan entered the tournament ranked eighth and were written off by almost everyone. But cricket loves its underdogs, and Hasan became the beating heart of a team that refused to quit.
Against South Africa, his three wickets broke the back of a batting giant.
In the semi-final against England, he tore through the hosts with 4/52, silencing a packed Cardiff crowd.
And in the final against India, Hasan’s 3/19 sealed one of Pakistan’s most memorable wins — a 180-run demolition at The Oval.
He finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker with 13 wickets and walked away with both the Golden Ball and Player of the Tournament awards.
Every wicket came with his now-famous “exploding bomb” celebration — arms outstretched, joy radiating across his face — an image that captured the imagination of millions.
Consistency That Defined a Year
The Champions Trophy was the spark, but Hasan’s fire burned all year. Across 18 ODIs in 2017, he grabbed 45 wickets at a remarkable average of 17.04 and a strike rate of 20.3.
Three times he claimed five wickets in an innings:
5/52 vs Australia in Sydney,
5/38 vs West Indies in Providence,
5/34 vs Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi.
What made Hasan different wasn’t just his pace — though he could touch the mid-140s km/h. It was his skiddy action, mastery of reverse swing, and a knack for striking when it mattered most. Captains trusted him to break partnerships, and more often than not, he delivered.
The Face of Pakistan’s Revival
For a nation starved of a true fast-bowling talisman since the days of Wasim and Waqar, Hasan’s rise was a gift. His energy was infectious, his celebrations became iconic, and his success reminded Pakistan fans of their rich pace-bowling heritage.
By year’s end, Hasan’s name topped the ICC ODI bowling rankings — the culmination of a journey from obscurity to the summit of world cricket.
2017: A Year of Bowling Excellence
Hasan may have been the standout, but 2017 had room for more bowling heroes.
Rashid Khan: Afghanistan’s Prodigy
Just 19, Rashid Khan stunned the cricketing world with 43 wickets in 15 ODIs, boasting an average of 10.44 and an economy of 3.8. His spell of 7/18 against West Indies was nothing short of magical, announcing Afghanistan as a force to be reckoned with.
India’s Pace Revolution
India found two match-winners in Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Bumrah’s slingy action and pinpoint yorkers earned him 39 wickets in 23 ODIs, making him the go-to bowler at the death.
Bhuvneshwar’s mastery of swing yielded 28 wickets, many of them with the new ball.
The Test Arena
In Tests, spinners and quicks shared the spotlight:
Ravichandran Ashwin led with 111 wickets, mesmerizing batters with his guile.
South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada snared 76 wickets at 21.47, unleashing pace that rattled opponents.
England’s James Anderson, at 35, claimed 59 wickets, proving that skill and experience still rule.
The Human Story Behind the Stats
Numbers only tell part of the tale. Behind Hasan’s success was a journey of sacrifice and unshakable belief. Growing up, he faced his share of setbacks and skeptics. Yet he never wavered.
His boyish grin hid a fierce determination. Teammates often spoke of his boundless energy — how his enthusiasm lifted the dressing room. In interviews, Hasan would simply say: “I just want to make my country proud.”
That sincerity, more than anything, endeared him to fans.
The Lasting Impact of 2017
Looking back, 2017 feels like the year bowlers reclaimed cricket’s narrative. Hasan Ali’s blistering spells, Rashid Khan’s artistry, and India’s pace revolution reminded fans that batters don’t always have the final word. In the longer format, Ashwin, Rabada, and Anderson showcased the timeless craft of wicket-taking.
Yet, when you picture that year, one image stands above all: Hasan Ali, arms spread wide in celebration, a young man who carried a team, a nation, and his own dreams.
Why Hasan Ali 2017 Still Matters
Hasan Ali journey resonates because it is about more than statistics. It is about a bowler who refused to let circumstances define him. In a sport where batters often steal the spotlight, Hasan reminded the world that a bowler, on his day, can own the game.
For Pakistan he was the spark that reignited belief. For cricket fans everywhere, he was proof that hunger and heart still triumph over hype. And for Hasan Ali himself 2017 will always be the year he etched his name into cricket history.