ICC World Cup 2019 | Coach Mickey Arthur is always backing us, says Hasan Ali

Pakistan were going through a rough patch in recent times. The team was whitewashed in a home series against Australia and then in an away series in England. The team was heading into the World Cup with a ten-match losing streak and a warm-up match loss against Afghanistan. They were thrashed by West Indies too in their campaign opener but managed to win and against who, the favourites England. Hasan Ali credited the coach Mickey Arthur, under whom Pakistan even the 2017 Champions Trophy, for putting an end to their abject streak.

"One thing is very important, which is our coach is always backing us. That moment turned us as everyone was confident,” he said, reported AFP.

Like his other teammates, even the pacer reckoned that the side had not lost its self-belief.

"We were very disappointed we lost 11 games in a row but one thing is very important, we believed in ourselves," said Hasan, who returned figures of 66 for none in ten overs amidst a slog-fest. 

Each team will play nine matches against every other team at the ten-nation tournament prior to the semi-final. Momentum plays a big role in tournaments which are played in such long formats and the Sialkot player is delighted to have it on his team’s side.

"We needed just a little bit of kick and then we will click. We got that kick. We needed the win because we are playing at the World Cup. The World Cup is a different game, you have a lot of pressure,” expressed the 24-year-old.

England always has a lot of support for the sub-continent teams given the presence of a large community from these countries. The Punjab born player did not fail to credit the fans who throng to the stadium match after match.

"We feel like we are playing at home,” Ali said while adding "Since I came here in 2016 to this 2019 World Cup, it feels like our home because there is a lot of Pakistani community who always come and support us.

Pakistan will next face Sri Lanka at Bristol on Friday.