Pakistan pacer Mohammad Hasnain made his much-anticipated return to the Big Bash League (BBL) recently, but the occasion turned sour as he faced brutal punishment at the hands of the Hobart Hurricanes
Making his return against the Hobart Hurricanes, Hasnain was taken to the cleaners particularly by batsman Tim David. It was evident from the start of the game, as Hasnain conceded 15 runs from his first over—a harbinger of the challenges he would face throughout the match. His day could have turned around early but for what started as a golden opportunity to take his first wicket: Mitchell Owen was dropped at point off the very first delivery.
Tim David quickly capitalized on this lifeline, demonstrating his power-hitting prowess. The Australian batsman smashed the youthful pacer to smithereens, scoring a blistering half-century off just 31 balls, marked by back-to-back sixes off Hasnain. David reached his fifty with authority, pulling one ball for six deep over square leg before depositing another full toss oilily over deep mid-wicket.
David ended the match unbeaten on 68 runs, having led the Hurricanes to victory with relative ease. Meanwhile, Hasnain’s economy rate soared to 16.33, leaving fans and team management bewildered.
This match was significant for both teams, as Sydney Thunder and Hobart Hurricanes were vying for prime position on the BBL table, both tied at nine points with the Sydney Sixers leading the standings. The Thunder’s struggles against the Hurricanes continued, with the latter winning three of their last four clashes.
With several changes to both teams, the Hurricanes lost Shai Hope and Waqar Salamkheil to the UAE ILT20, necessitating strategic replacements. Meanwhile, Sydney Thunder secured Mohammad Hasnain and George Garton, hoping they would provide stability.
Trent Copeland, the general manager for Sydney Thunder, expressed high hopes for Hasnain, anticipating he could become the X-factor as teams look to solidify playoff positions.
That said, Hasnain’s career has been anything but linear. After being banned due to elbow extension exceeding permissible limits (between 17-24 degrees), assessments now show he has successfully modified his action; his flex now sits at 12-13 degrees. This development cleared his path back to competitive cricket. He made headlines previously with exceptional bowling feats, including recording the fastest CPL delivery at 155.1 kph.
During the match, with the pressure mounting due to lackluster performance aboard, speculation swirled whether Hasnain could rediscover the fierceness he once displayed or if injuries and inconsistencies would continue to plague his opportunities to shine.
Despite the setbacks against the Hurricanes, Hasnain remains hopeful of refocusing his ability to excel, demonstrating his commitment to reclaiming his spot as one of T20’s leading pacers.
Moving forward, this defeat serves as a compelling case study for Hasnain. It remains to be seen if he can transform this misstep—taking on board the lessons learned—into positive outcomes. Already under immense scrutiny, he’ll need to quickly find form as the Thunder’s title hopes remain largely dependent on consistent performances over the next matches.
This latest chapter signifies more than just individual performance; it's emblematic of both teams' strategies and resilience as they navigate the frantic waters of BBL's playoffs. With numerous ups and downs already recorded this season, both teams now look forward to translating their roster changes—and renewed motivations—into successful outcomes as the playoffs loom ever closer.