Hasan Nawaz Omitted from Pakistan's ODI and T20I Squads

Post by : Mara Rahim

Pakistan has made the decision to exclude batter Hasan Nawaz from their squads for the forthcoming ODI and T20I series scheduled for later this month. He will instead participate in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, marking a significant shift in team selection amid his earlier promising prospects as one of the most exciting young talents in Pakistan.

No replacement has been named for Nawaz in the ODI squad; however, Fakhar Zaman has been recalled to take his place in the T20I team. This choice underscores the selectors' inclination towards seasoned players as Pakistan gears up for a busy international calendar.

Nawaz first came into the spotlight earlier this year, scoring a decisive T20I century against New Zealand at Eden Park in March. The powerful right-handed batter quickly gained a reputation as one of Pakistan's formidable middle-order hitters, particularly known for his performance during the final overs.

Given this potential, he was given ample opportunities within the national side, despite some inconsistencies in performance. Among his first ten T20I matches, he recorded five ducks, illustrating some inexperience but also hints of his considerable capabilities.

His stock further ascended during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he aided Quetta Gladiators in reaching the finals. Ending the season as the third-highest run-scorer with an impressive strike rate exceeding 162, his penchant for hitting sixes earned him a dedicated fanbase and comparisons to some of Pakistan's best modern-day hitters.

However, following a decline in form over the past two months, Nawaz was benched during the Asia Cup's later matches in favor of Hussain Talat, a more consistent and less aggressive option. This adjustment suggests that the management was losing faith in his ability to maintain composure and make sound decisions under pressure.

In ODI cricket, Nawaz has limited experience, having played only four matches so far, with three occurring against the West Indies in August and averaging a solid 56.33. Nevertheless, a misguided charge against spinner George Linde, leading to a stumping, raised concerns about his situational awareness during matches.

His recent T20I performance has similarly been disappointing; in his last eight outings, he only managed double figures once with an average dipping below seven. These unsatisfactory stats have made it challenging for selectors to justify his inclusion in the national setup.

Pakistan's international series kicks off with three ODIs against Sri Lanka on November 11, followed by a T20I tri-series featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe starting November 17. This will mark the inaugural multi-team T20I tournament in Pakistan, offering emerging and seasoned players a vital opportunity.

The ODI squad includes:
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha.

The T20I tri-series squad features:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wk), and Usman Tariq.

The selectors' choice to send Hasan Nawaz to domestic cricket signals a desire for him to regain form and confidence through local competitions. Playing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy could provide an opportunity for him to refine his shot selection and build innings under pressure.

Fakhar Zaman's return adds depth to the top order while promising young talents like Saim Ayub and Usman Khan aim to make a mark in limited-overs formats.

Even as Hasan Nawaz's role in the national team looks uncertain for now, he remains one of Pakistan's brightest batting prospects. A strong performance in domestic leagues could pave the way for his reinstatement. The selectors maintain confidence in his power-hitting ability, but consistency and better decision-making will be crucial for his comeback.