HASSAN Ali has revealed he turned down offers from other First Class counties in order to return to his ‘second home’ Edgbaston and rejoin Warwickshire.
Ali enjoyed a fruitful three-month spell with the Bears last season, taking 33 wickets – 24 in the LV= Insurance County Championship and nine in the Vitality Blast – having slotted seamlessly into the squad.
He’s will re-join his Bears teammates ahead of the season curtain-raiser at home to Worcestershire on April 5.
Ali said: “Edgbaston is my second home. Three counties made offers for me but if I’m going to play in the County Championship, my priority is Warwickshire.
“I like Birmingham. I have great memories of Edgbaston. The people are so nice, welcoming and I have a really good relationship with all the players and management.
“I want to thank Gavin (Larsen) and Robbo (Mark Robinson) for putting their trust in me and wanting me to come back.
“I want to reward their trust with my best performances and lots of wickets. I’m very pleased to be back as a Bear and Edgbaston which is a beautiful stadium.”
Ali’s contract covers Warwickshire and Bears fixtures in the LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality Blast until the end of July, with the option to return for the red ball run-in and Vitality Blast Finals Day in September.
He received his White Bear cap ahead of his last Bears Vitality Blast game at Trent Bridge on May 31 last year before joining Pakistan on a tour of Sri Lanka.
A call-up to Pakistan’s ODI World Cup squad in India saw him take nine wickets, including a four-fer versus Sri Lanka, before following up that success with a Test series in Australia.
Ali added: “The Bears played very well as a team last season.
“We have a good side, a balanced side with players like Hain Train, Mr Consistent Sam Hain, very promising players like Dan Mousley, Bethell and Yatesy, and older players like Rushy bhai and Olly the Long Fellow.
“I’m hoping we can make it to the finals and lift a trophy in the Championship or T20 Blast.”
