Kashif earned his first call to the national squad when he made his Test debut in Multan
\n LONDON
\nPakistan\u2019s rising fast bowler Kashif Ali is hopeful that strong first-class performances and a stint with English county Kent, his first in the ongoing county championship will help him to cement his spot in Pakistan\u2019s Test team.
\nFrom making his Test debut in a home series against the West Indies to playing county cricket in England for the first time, the 30-year-old is living through what he calls the most \u201cblessed\u201d phase of his life \u2014 both on and off the field.
\nHe was speaking exclusively to Geo News at the iconic Lord\u2019s Cricket Ground, after the match between Kent CCC and host Middlesex CCC.
\n\u201cAlhamdulillah, it\u2019s been a special year,\u201d Kashif said. \u201cI debuted in Test cricket and soon after, got the opportunity to play for Kent. It\u2019s not easy adjusting to new conditions \u2014 the weather, the pitches, the overall environment \u2014 but I\u2019m really happy with how things have gone so far.\u201d
\nKashif, who has been a consistent performer in Pakistan\u2019s domestic circuit, sees county cricket as a major step up. In five championship matches he has played so far, he\u2019s bagged 11 wickets.
\n\u201cThe facilities, structure, and support systems here are on another level. Cricket is the same everywhere \u2014 but the professional environment here really allows you to perform at your best.\u201d
\nPlaying under coach Adam Hollioake \u2014 who previously worked with Pakistan\u2019s national team \u2014 has made Kashif\u2019s transition into county cricket smoother. \u201cHe\u2019s very friendly and encouraging. We clicked within just a couple of sessions,\u201d he said.
\nFor any cricketer, playing at Lord\u2019s is a career-defining moment, and Kashif was no exception. \u201cAs a young boy in Rawalpindi, I used to hear about the Lord\u2019s and wonder what it would be like. Playing here was surreal. It truly feels like the home of cricket \u2014 from the crowd to the atmosphere, even down to the amazing food during the breaks,\u201d he laughed.
\nEarlier this year, Kashif earned his first call to the national squad when he made his Test debut in Multan, as the lone fast bowler in Pakistan\u2019s Test XI against the West Indies. \u201cRepresenting Pakistan in Test cricket was a huge honour \u2014 a moment of pride for me, my wife, my parents, and my whole family. It\u2019s a feeling I find hard to put into words.\u201d
\nBut it wasn\u2019t just his cricketing milestones that made 2024 unforgettable. Kashif also became a father. \u201cMy daughter was born just before my Test debut \u2014 and since then, things have taken a beautiful turn. She\u2019s been a source of strength and motivation for me. I genuinely believe she brought me good luck,\u201d he shared.
\nKashif\u2019s cricketing journey began in 2010, inspired by legendary pacer Shoaib Akhtar, a fellow Rawalpindi native. \u201cWatching Shoaib Bhai made me fall in love with fast bowling. His energy, aggression, and passion left a huge impression on me.\u201d
\nLooking ahead, Kashif remains focused on maintaining his form and earning a regular spot in Pakistan\u2019s national team. \u201cInshaAllah, my goal is to keep performing and stay in contention. That\u2019s how you keep your place \u2014 with consistency.\u201d
\nWith the support of his family, coaches, and mentors \u2014 and a promising county season underway \u2014 Kashif Ali is not only making his mark in first-class cricket but also laying the foundation for a long and impactful international career.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kashif earned his first call to the national squad when he made his Test debut in Multan LONDON Pakistan\u2019s rising fast bowler Kashif Ali is hopeful that strong first-class performances and a stint with English county Kent, his first in the ongoing county championship will help him to cement his spot in Pakistan\u2019s Test team. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":479863,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-479851","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n