Nawaz was sent to beat at number 8 in the championship stage match against India in the ongoing Asian Cup, which India won. On that occasion he managed to score only 1 out of 3 balls. On Sunday, however, after Pakistan lost two s and their best hitters in captain Babar Azam (14) and Fakhar Zaman (15) and with a score of 63 out of 2 over 8.4 over, Pakistan manager Saqlain Mushtaq and skipper Babar have decided to promote the tough – making order go up in Nawaz. It was a bet. And he paid handsomely for Pakistan.
The reasoning behind this was to counter the two Indian leggies and Nawaz, who prior to this game had scored a total of 124 points in 14 innings, played a shot that overturned the game, completely swinging Pakistan’s momentum. .
When Nawaz came out to beat the equation for Pakistan, read – 119 needed in 68 deliveries. This was the stage where Rohit Sharma really wanted to hold back Pakistan to make sure the required running speed entered the realm of the near impossible. But this is exactly what Nawaz did not allow Indian bowlers to do.
He came into the area area and defended the first ball and then played a superb cut to the third man to send Chahal to the edge. In the next over, Rizwan picked up a single on Hardik Pandya and hit Nawaz. Nawaz wasted no time and beat Pandya for a long time for six.
28-year-old Nawaz, a left arm spinner, put in 73 runs with Mohammad Rizwan for the third wicket. It was a partnership that ensured Pakistan stayed well and truly on the hunt in what was a complicated chase. Nawaz’s stay in the crease was only 20 balls long, but in true T20 style, it was a shock. Nawaz destroyed 6 fours and 2 sixes in his 20 balls, scoring 42 points. His blow also gave Rizwan breath, making sure he didn’t have to try anything too rash.
Image credit: PCB
Nawaz scored 22 points against Indian leg spinners – Chahal and Bishnoi, including 1 six on Bishnoi and 3 limits against Chahal in his 42 point shot.
The raw emotions, reactions and celebrations 🤗🎥 Relive the last passage of Pakistan’s thrilling five wickets … https://t.co/9PqRXL16po
– Pakistani cricket (@TheRealPCB) 1662322660000
“I had a feeling that Nawaz was going to be pivotal against the leg spinners,” Babar Azam said in the post-match presentation.
When Nawaz fell in 16th place against Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the equation had dropped to 46 needed out of 27 balls. The momentum had changed.
In fact, Nawaz had an all-round impact on the game: he had very cheap figures of 1-25 in his 4 overs. His only casualty on the night was potential breakthrough player Suryakumar Yadav. Nawaz also took three catches and was obviously judged Man of the Match. In the Asian Cup championship match against India in Dubai, lost to Pakistan, Nawaz was the most successful Pakistani bowler, taking 3 wickets for 33 runs in 3.4 overs, sending back the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Raviindra Jadeja.
Image credit: PCB
“Playing such an inning in a high pressure match has definitely given me confidence. I have had the opportunity to grow as a player and will do my best to live up to the growing expectations. I will work hard and try to perform better as a real player. and really all-rounder for the Pakistani team, ”Nawaz said after the game.
The 28-year-old, who made his international debut for Pakistan in all three formats in 2016, was born in Rawalpindi and started playing cricket at the age of 14. Interestingly, he was initially a left arm fast medium pitcher and medium order hitter.
Image credit: PCB
Playing for Rawalpindi against Sialkot in an interregional Under-16 tournament match in 2008, a young Nawaz played a pivotal role in his team’s victory, smashing 60 points and scoring four wickets, like an average pace.
He was later included in the Pakistani team for the Under 15 International Championship in the West Indies.
As the Caribbean tracks were slow, his coach Ameer Akbar and team manager Haroon Rashid helped him transform from an average pace to a left arm spinner.
Nawaz, who played for Pakistan A, Quetta Gladiators and Rajshahi Royals, made his Pakistan debut in 2016 and has played 5 tests, 22 ODI and 33 T20I so far. He has 417 international races and 78 scalps to his credit.
