From Pakistan to the IPL via USA: The journey of KKR's Ali Khan

NEW DELHI: As two time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders begin their IPL 2020 campaign against defending champions Mumbai Indians on Wednesday, the high-octane encounter will be a battle between the league's most feared power-hitters. From the likes of the extremely destructive Andre Russell and the very effective Eoin Morgan in the KKR ranks to the swashbuckling Hardik Pandya and the ever-impressive Kieron Pollard in the Mumbai unit, the match is being slated as one of the most power-packed clashes of the season.Some of the most dynamic hitters ever will take centre stage and hopefully light up the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
But amidst all the talk of power-hitting and leather smashing, one player, all the way from the United States of America will also be a big talking point. Ali Khan of the USA is all set to begin his IPL journey. Playing for Kolkata Knight Riders, Ali Khan might just make the cut in the playing XI when Karthik's Knights take on Rohit Sharma's MI Paltan, even though he is likely to make his IPL debut only later in the tournament.

The first player ever from America to be drafted in the IPL, Ali Khan has already been making waves, even before bowling a single ball. The right arm medium pacer, who came in as a replacement for Englishman Harry Gurney, has been living a dream and is now just a step away from creating history.

Here is all you need to know all about the pace sensation Ali Khan, who is set to play for KKR, this IPL season:

- Ali Khan is a right arm fast medium bowler
- He has so far played 1 ODI, 19 List-A and 36 T20 matches
- Born and raised in Pakistan, the 29-year-old along with his family moved to Ohio in the USA, aged 18.
- In 2013, Ali started playing for the All stars team in the US Open T20 cricket tournament -- an annual affair held in Florida.
- Along with that Ali, in 2016 also joined Guyana Amazon Warriors in the CPL but only played one match during a 2-year stint.
- With things not working out, Ali was almost ready to give up on his professional cricket career, but then things changed dramatically for him in 2017, when West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo was roped in to play for the US All-Stars in the US Open T20 tournament.

- Bravo saw the potential in Ali and drafted him for the Winnipeg Hawks in the 2018 Global T20 Canada.
- Following that, he then recommended Ali to the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in the CPL.
- Ali, since then has never looked back and has been making rapid strides with his pace, accuracy and his deadly yorkers and has managed to impress quite a few in the cricketing circuit.
- In the recently concluded CPL 2020, Ali was part of the TKR's squad which remained unbeaten on the way to their fifth title.
- Ali picked up eight wickets from as many matches in the tournament with an economy rate of 7.43.
- After watching his impressive performances in the CPL, KKR called him in for this year's IPL in place of Gurney.
- Although Ali was on KKR's radar last season as well but a deal could not be worked out.
- Ali also played a key role in the USA gaining ODI status.