Hamid Hassan is Back in the 2019 Cricket World Cup

The famous headband has been on ever since he made his arrival in the United Kingdom for the start of the World Cup tour for Afghanistan. However, he only started smearing his cheeks at a later stage. After almost three years of being absent from the international cricket world, Hamid Hassan finally made his way back into the sport he loves during May 2019.

Hamid Hassan at the 2019 World Cup in England

He managed to do his warm-up bowling routine while wearing a wool beanie in an extremely cold Edinburgh over the weekend. A couple of days later he managed to suit up and participate in his first One Day International since July 2016 where he bowled off a considerably shortened run-up that what we are all used to from his golden days when he was regarded as the most feared bowler in the world. This was also a time when he was robbed by financial reward and glory due to a catastrophic accident that took everything away from him.

Even when he participated in the warm-up victory against Pakistan, he seemed nothing like the Hassan we all know and love. And when he managed to take a wicket, Hamid Hassan’s usual celebration was restricted entirely. However, the Stallone-inspired cheek streaks of green, red, and black across his face during a match against England provided a slight hint of the old Hamid Hassan. This indicated that he has one last rodeo up his sleeve before he retires from one-day cricket.

Hamid Hassan will inform everyone until his face turns blue that he will never retire officially. However, why was he selected after all this time? Hamid stated that he has done quite a bit for his country in the past and that he is someone that will never give up. When he is on the ground, he does everything he can for his country and team.

Hamid Hassan’s Career

Apart from Rashid Khan, there’s no one else that has managed to take wickets at a faster rate than Hamid Hassan. Since the start of the country’s ascent from the World Cricket League Division Five during 2008, Hamid Hassan was the country’s most consistent bowler in white-ball cricket. He was primarily a dominant force during 50-over matches where he claimed 58 wickets in only 29 games for the beginning of the 2008 Division Five right through to the maiden ODI less than a year later to cap the World Cup Qualifier in 2009 that took place in South Africa.

He managed to terrorise countries like Tanzania, the Cayman Islands, and Japan along the way from Division 5 to Division 1, swinging the ball both ways between 145 and 150 kph. Most of the players he played against would have been thrilled if they could deliver the ball at 130kph consistently. Hamid Hassan has one more opportunity to rock the world during the 2019 Cricket World Cup, so make sure to watch his performance before he disappears forever.