Pakistan’s cricket fans are no strangers to heartbreak, but the sting of the second T20I against West Indies on August 1, 2025, cut deeper than usual. Pacer Hasan Ali, once a fiery prospect, bled 48 runs in his four-over spell, turning a winnable game into a last-ball defeat. His disastrous 19th over, leaking 16 runs with wides, no-balls, and a massive six, sparked a firestorm on social media, with fans demanding his retirement and questioning his place in the national side Mid_wicket_. As Pakistan squandered a 1-0 series lead, the backlash against Hasan paints a grim picture: is this the end of the road for the 31-year-old bowler, or just another bump in Pakistan’s chaotic cricket journey? Let’s dissect this mess with a weary chuckle and a shake of the head at the state of things.
The Match: A Collapse and a Choke
Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies in 2025, a three-match T20I series, started with promise. After a convincing win in the first game, the second T20I in Bridgetown saw Pakistan post a modest 133 runs, a total that screamed “defendable” but demanded tight bowling ESPNcricinfo. The batting lineup crumbled early, with the top order managing little before Salman Agha (38) and Hasan Nawaz (40) offered some fight. The lower order, however, folded like a cheap tent, leaving the bowlers with a steep challenge.
The second innings began brightly for Pakistan. Mohammad Nawaz ripped through West Indies’ top order, snagging three wickets to leave them reeling at 70/5 Cricbuzz. But Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd steadied the ship, dragging the game to the wire. Enter Hasan Ali for the crucial 19th over, with West Indies needing 24 runs off 12 balls. What followed was a disaster: a wide, a no-ball, a six smashed by Shepherd, and a boundary to boot. The over cost 16 runs, flipping the equation to 8 needed off the final 6 balls ESPNcricinfo. Shaheen Afridi couldn’t save the day in the last over, and West Indies clinched a two-wicket win on the final ball, leveling the series 1-1.
“Hasan Ali, you are as bad as you were two years ago. I can’t believe you still have fans,” fumed one fan on X, capturing the mood of a nation 404kashmiri.
Hasan Ali’s Fall from Grace
Once a cornerstone of Pakistan’s pace attack, Hasan Ali’s career has been a rollercoaster. His heroics in the 2017 Champions Trophy—where he took 13 wickets, including a three-wicket haul in the final—made him a household name ICC. But injuries, inconsistent form, and a knack for leaking runs in T20s have dimmed his star. In 2025, Hasan’s T20I economy rate hovers at a grim 9.2 runs per over, with his 48-run spell against West Indies marking a new low Cricinfo.
Fans didn’t hold back. “Hasan Ali should be banned from playing any sort of cricket! About time he finds another profession, show some mercy to Pakistan,” one X user raged fad08. Another quipped, “Hasan Ali, buy the whole Karachi Kings team, but please leave international cricket” jollymanthemyth. The sentiment was echoed across platforms, with some pointing to his domestic success—where he took 15 wickets in the 2024 Pakistan Super League—but arguing it doesn’t translate to the international stage crickethub_pk.
“Hasan Ali’s T20 woes continue as he gets hammered for 48 in his 4 overs today. Honestly, this should be the final call he shouldn’t be in T20I plans anymore,” one analyst posted, summing up the growing consensus crickethub_pk.
The Bigger Picture: Pakistan’s T20 Struggles
Hasan’s meltdown isn’t an isolated incident; it’s a symptom of Pakistan’s broader T20 woes. The team’s batting has been shaky, with only Babar Azam averaging above 40 in T20Is this year Cricbuzz. The bowling, once a strength, has faltered under pressure, with Hasan’s 9.2 economy rate only slightly worse than Shaheen Afridi’s 8.5 ESPNcricinfo. The team’s reliance on aging stars and reluctance to blood new talent—think Naseem Shah or Mohammad Wasim Jr.—has drawn criticism from former players like Wasim Akram, who called for “fresh legs” after the 2024 T20 World Cup flop Dawn.
Pakistan’s T20I record in 2025 is a mixed bag: 10 wins, 8 losses, and a series of close defeats that expose their inability to close out tight games ICC. The West Indies loss stung because it was winnable, but Hasan’s 19th over flipped the momentum. Fans’ frustration isn’t just about one player; it’s about a team that keeps tripping over its own feet.
Should Hasan Ali Retire?
The calls for Hasan’s retirement are loud, but are they fair? At 31, he’s not old for a pacer, and his domestic form suggests he still has gas in the tank. He took 15 wickets in the 2024 PSL at an economy of 7.8, a stark contrast to his international struggles PSL. But T20 cricket demands precision, and Hasan’s tendency to leak runs—48 in 4 overs is his worst spell since 2022—makes him a liability in high-stakes games Cricinfo.
Critics argue Pakistan has options. Haris Rauf, back from injury, has a T20I economy of 8.1 and a knack for death-over wickets ESPNcricinfo. Youngsters like Mohammad Wasim Jr., with 12 wickets in 8 T20Is this year, are waiting in the wings Cricbuzz. Fans on X didn’t mince words: “Hasan Ali still playing cricket for Pakistan in 2025. What a joke!” one posted CricDaddy777.
“I’m no cricket expert, but even I can see Hasan’s not cutting it,” I mutter, scrolling through another X rant about Pakistan’s bowling.
What’s Next for Pakistan?
With the series tied 1-1, the third T20I on August 3, 2025, is a must-win for Pakistan to avoid another overseas disappointment ESPNcricinfo. Coach Azhar Mahmood faces tough calls: stick with Hasan, hoping for a comeback, or bench him for a fresher face? The team’s broader issues—batting collapses, death-over leaks—need fixing before the 2026 T20 World Cup, where Pakistan’s history of near-misses won’t cut it ICC.
Hasan Ali’s 48-run nightmare may be the final straw for fans, but it’s also a wake-up call for a team stuck in a cycle of “almosts.” Pakistan cricket thrives on passion and chaos, but without change, the losses will keep piling up. For now, Hasan’s in the crosshairs, and the fans’ verdict is brutal.
