“Cricket has been my passion over the last two to three years, and it is something I have been a obsession for all of my life,”” Hassan was quoted as in a statement issued from the ACB. “It’s an extremely difficult choice for me to step down from the sport I enjoy most however, I’m doing it for the good of my country and my teammates.
“At all times, I’m also honored and delighted to have the opportunity to play the role of bowling coach for the national squad. I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time playing for this team and the chance to coach our new bowling team is something I’m eagerly anticipating. I’ve been following our fast bowling group with great interest and am looking forward to working with them to build the team as solid and even more so than our spinning department.”
Hassan’s last cricket match played in competition was in October 2022 . He is among the players in their initial group of international cricketers who helped bring Afghanistan cricket onto the international map. He last played in Afghanistan in 2021 when he played his first T20I in over five years. In the past seven years, he’s suffered from injuries which forced him to cut his innings. Prior to his injury, the player was regarded as the fastest bowler Afghanistan has ever produced.
Hassan played his final ODI at his final ODI in the Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2019 and played his final T20I to represent Afghanistan during the T20 World Cup in 2021. He took 39 wickets in 38 ODIs, and 35 T20I wickets over the course of 25 games. His last game in competition included his participation in the Shpageeza Cricket League of 2022 in which he took four wickets in three games with Hindukush Stars.
The last time Afghanistan played was a three-match series with UAE on the eve of Abu Dhabi, that they beat with a 2-1 victory. They will take on Pakistan in Sharjah beginning on the 25th of March.
