(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Hasan Nawaz: “This is Pakistan’s Best T20 Team” After Consecutive Tri-Series Wins
Sharjah: Pakistan’s young batting talent Hasan Nawaz believes the national side is currently playing as the country’s “best T20 team” after back-to-back victories in the ongoing tri-series in the UAE.
Strong Start Ahead of Asia Cup
The tri-series, serving as a warm-up event for the Asia Cup starting on September 9, has seen Pakistan dominate both of their opening fixtures.
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In the opener, Haris Rauf and skipper Salman Ali Agha led the team to a 39-run win over Afghanistan.
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Against UAE, Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz struck quick half-centuries to secure a 31-run victory.
Hasan Nawaz’s Explosive Knock
Batting at number six, Hasan Nawaz played a blistering knock of 56 off just 26 balls, smashing six sixes and two boundaries. His late surge pushed Pakistan past the 200-run mark (207 total) after opener Saim Ayub set the stage with 69 from 38 balls.
“In the beginning, Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan had already set the tone,” Hasan said.
“My mindset was to go for a bigger target and ensure we crossed 200.”
Hasan Ali Shines With the Ball
Pakistan’s bowling attack was rotated, bringing in Hasan Ali and Salman Mirza in place of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. The move paid off as Hasan Ali returned with figures of 3-47, despite UAE’s Asif Khan scoring a fighting 77 off 35 deliveries.
New Culture Under Mike Hesson
Head coach Mike Hesson has overseen a shift in team culture, where every player is seen as a first-choice option rather than “bench strength.”
“I don’t see it as bench strength because all our players are equal,” Hasan Nawaz noted.
“Even Hasan Ali is a senior player, you can’t call him bench strength.”
Eyes on Asia Cup and T20 World Cup
With Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan no longer part of the T20 setup, Pakistan’s young guns are aiming to prove themselves ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Hasan Nawaz summed it up:
“The plan is to win the tri-series and then, God willing, the Asia Cup as well.”
Pakistan will face Afghanistan again on Thursday, while the tri-series final is scheduled for September 7.
