T20 star Hasan Nawaz makes his mark
In sharp contrast, his namesake Hasan Nawaz — no relation to the former PM — made his own identity by smashing a 44-ball maiden Twenty20 hundred against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland, guiding Pakistan to a thumping nine-wicket win in a fascinating 205-run chase.
With his innings, Hasan proved he has not defaulted after being dismissed for naught in both the previous T20Is against New Zealand.
Incidentally, Hasan dedicated the hundred to his father! "Full marks to head coach Aaqib Javed who supported me no end and told me that I will play all five games even if I fell for nought in the previous four matches," Hasan told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net).
"After scoring two ducks, I was thinking that now I have to go back to domestic cricket and score runs, but the coach, captain Salman Agha, and vice-captain Shadab Khan gave me full support."
Hasan rose from a middle-class background in the Southern Punjab Saraiki city of Layyah. He had to strive to play cricket as the city lacked facilities and had to pay bowlers to bowl at him on the sandy grounds.
"There were no facilities and no players available in the city, so I moved to Islamabad, where my sister supported me to the hilt," said Hasan whose engineer sister used to pick him up and drop him off at the ground daily.
"I played club cricket with tape-ball but coaches told me to play with hard ball, so I joined a club and graduated to play high-level cricket and when I did well in the Kashmir Premier League in 2022, with 241 runs (second highest), then my name propped up and I played in the PSL," recalls Hasan.
Former captains Wasim Akram and Shoaib Malik praised Hasan's talent. Malik predicted the youngster will play for Pakistan in the near future.
Last year's domestic Champions T20 Cup added a new chapter in Hasan's career. He was once again second on the run-getters chart with 312 runs at a strike rate of 142.
"I am indebted to the selectors who gave me a chance," said Hasan. "After the two failures, I was thinking of scoring the first run in international cricket and when it came, I had a sigh of relief.
"Our strategy is to play T20I cricket like other countries are playing, so I have to follow that and keep my feet grounded to score consistently so that my team wins," he said.
Against New Zealand on Friday, Hasan carted seven towering sixes and ten boundaries in his 45-ball 105 not out. His knock coupled with a maiden unbeaten half-century by skipper Salman Agha and a fiery 41 by fellow opener Mohammad Haris helped Pakistan chase the fastest 200-plus target in the history of the shortest format.
Having crossed the first hurdle, Hasan will now be looking forward to riding the momentum in the fourth T20I at Mount Maunganui on Sunday. Winning that match will help the visitors level the five-match series 2-2 with the fifth and final match remaining to be played on Wednesday.
They will play three ODIs following the T20I series and Hasan Nawaz will be hoping to do well in those matches too and cement his place in the squad. www.telecomasia.net
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Whoever performs will play: Aqib Javed
Both former Pakistan captain Babar Azam and ODI skipper Mohammad Rizwan were dropped from T20I side due to poor performance. Photo: AFP Pakistan selector and former pacer Aqib Javed has addressed the T20I exclusions of star batter Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, emphasising that opportunities in the national team are based on performance. Speaking at a media conference, he highlighted the importance of consistency and giving players chances based on their form. "Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were not part of the previous three series, while Saim, Fakhar, and Sahibzada Farhan featured in the top order," Aqib said. "It's not like you ignore someone or select someone based on just two matches' performance. These things often get highlighted in the media, but as a player, you face different challenges at different times. Everyone who wants to play has opportunities," he added. "In T20 cricket, two factors are crucial: your ability to score runs and your strike rate according to the match situation and environment. That is what we always consider." The 53-year-old also addressed growing speculation regarding the T20I futures of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, explaining that their absence from recent series should not be interpreted as being permanently sidelined. "It's not that we are completely sidelining them. The current choices reflect how a player develops. I've given examples of Sahibzada Farhan, Saim, and Fakhar. Sahibzada made a comeback, Saim initially struggled but later created an impact," he stated. "You can't put a stamp on any player's careeropportunities are always there. Right now, they're gaining experience in leagues like the Big Bash and PSL. Whoever performs will play, and only those who perform deserve to play," he added. Looking ahead to the high-voltage clash against arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup 2025, he expressed confidence in the team. "Pakistan's T20 team can beat India. India vs Pakistan matches are always huge. This 17-member squad can defeat any team. We shouldn't put pressure on them, but I have high hopes for this squad," he stated. He elaborated on the recent developments in Pakistan cricket and the Shaheens' squad selection, highlighting the focus on fitness, performance, and providing opportunities to emerging players. "Our top players have just completed a one-and-a-half to two-month camp at the NCA. Concerning the Shaheens, Mohammad Wasim Jr. was sent there, getting fitter and bowling well, so he has been included," he said. "You have limited slotsif you have players like Saim, Fakhar, and Sahibzada, you can only select 17. Wherever there is opportunity, it will be utilised. The good thing is that our options are improving. Players like Yasir, Naeem, and Nafay give us better choices, which is a positive sign," he concluded.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Three Australia players ruled out of South Africa series
Australia has been forced into a trio of late changes ahead of the upcoming ODI series against South Africa, with Mitchell Owen, Lance Morris, and Matt Short all ruled out due to injury concerns. Replacements Aaron Hardie, Cooper Connolly, and Matt Kuhnemann have been drafted into the squad. Mitchell Owen has been ruled out of both the decisive third T20I and the subsequent ODI series after suffering a concussion. He was struck on the helmet by a sharp bouncer from Kagiso Rabada in the second T20I in Darwin. Although he passed an on-field concussion assessment, Owen later reported delayed symptoms following his dismissal and will now undergo the mandatory 12-day stand-down period, ruling him out of a potential ODI debut. Fast bowler Lance Morris has also been sidelined after experiencing back soreness during training. The injury is a worrying setback for Morris, who has a history of back issues. He has returned to Perth for further evaluation, casting doubt over his availability for the upcoming Australia A four-day tour of India. Allrounder Matt Short, who was initially ruled out of the first two T20Is due to a side strain sustained in the West Indies, has now been ruled out of the entire South Africa series. It marks another frustrating interruption to Short's international career, having also missed part of the Champions Trophy earlier this year with a quad injury. South Africa leveled the T20I series with a commanding 53-run win on Tuesday, setting up a series decider in Cairns on Saturday. The same city will host the first ODI on August 19, followed by matches in Mackay on August 22 and 24. Hardie, who had already joined the T20I squad as cover for Short, now stays on for the ODI leg. Left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann, who last played ODIs in 2022, returns and could feature in a spin-heavy attack alongside Adam Zampa. Cooper Connolly, a left-handed batter and left-arm spinner, joins the squad after making his international debut during the Champions Trophy semi-final against India earlier this year. Meanwhile, Josh Inglis missed the second T20I with flu-like symptoms. Alex Carey was called in as cover and made his first T20I appearance since 2021. Updated Australia ODI Squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Adam Zampa.
Express Tribune
10-08-2025
- Express Tribune
Debutant Hasan lifts Pak in first ODI
Dashing Hasan Nawaz has dedicated his brilliant hundred against NZ to his father. PHOTO: AF Hasan Nawaz, who became Pakistan's ODI cap 254, combined with Hussain Talat, who returned to the ODI side after six years, for an unbeaten 104-run sixth-wicket stand to help visitors achieve the 281-run target with seven balls to spare in the opening ODI of the three-match series here at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday night. Player of the match Hasan (63 not out, 5x4s, 3x6s) entered the fray with Pakistan 158-4 in 30.4 overs, while Hussain (41 not out, 4x4s, 1x6) joined him on the crease with 180 runs on the board in 38th over. The duo set the tone for the match-winning stand by gathering 26 runs off the next two overs taking Pakistan to 209-5 in 40 overs. In the next 8.5 overs they blitzed five fours and three sixes to edge out West Indies. At the beginning of the chase, Pakistan lost Saim Ayub early but Mohammad Rizwan's 55 and 40-run stands with Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha (23, 26b, 3x4s), respectively kept the innings intact. Babar, who scored 47 off 64 balls, also shared 47-run stand with Abdullah Shafique (29, 33b, 2x4s, 1x6) for the second wicket. Rizwan's 17th ODI half-century (53, 69b, 4x4s) was vital in setting up the successful chase as he remained on the crease for 25.2 overs before getting pinned leg-before by Shamar Joseph in the 38th over. For West Indies Joseph picked up two wickets, while Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie and Jayden Seales dismissed one batter each. Earlier, the pace duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi (8-0-51-4) and Naseem Shah (8-0-55-3) starred in the latter part of West Indies' innings to finish with combined figures of 7-106 as they slipped from 200-4 in 41.1 overs to 280 all out in 49 overs. The 6-80 collapse was orchestrated by the shining pace duo of Naseem and Shaheen as they shared three wickets each in this phase with the former executing two consecutive pin-point yorkers to take last two wickets. Before this juncture, West Indies' innings was headlined by half-centuries from opening batter Evin Lewis (60, 62b, 5x4s, 3x6s), skipper Hope (55, 77b, 4x4s) and no.6 batter Hope (53, 54b, 4x4s, 2x6s), while no.3 batter Keacy Carty chimed in with a 39-ball 30. Towards the end Motie contributed with an 18-ball 31 comprising three fours and two sixes. After Shaheen delivered a first-over scalp for Pakistan, Lewis and Carty stablised the proceedings for hosts with a 77-run stand, while the hosts' second half-century stand (64 off 89 balls) came between Chase and Hope for the fifth wicket. Apart from the pace duo, the spin trio of Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub and Sufyan Moqim bowled their 10-over quotas picking up a scalp each and returning combined figures of 3-144. Scores in brief: Match 1 of 3: Pakistan beat West Indies by five wickets at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba West Indies 280 all out, 49 overs (Evin Lewis 60, Shai Hope 55, Roston Chase 53, Gudakesh Motie 31, Keacy Carty 30, Sherfane Rutherford 10; Shaheen Shah Afridi 4-51, Naseem Shah 3-55) Pakistan 284-5, 49 overs (Hasan Nawaz 63 not out, Mohammad Rizwan 53, Babar Azam 47, Hussain Talat 41 not out, Abdullah Shafique 29, Salman Ali Agha 23; Shamar Joseph 2-65) PCB
