Hasan Nawaz expressed gratitude to Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and senior all-rounder Shadab Khan for their unwavering support after his record-breaking century propelled Pakistan to a dominant nine-wicket victory over New Zealand at Eden Park on Friday.
The 22-year-old opener, making his debut in the international series, initially struggled in his T20I career. He was dismissed for a duck in his first two innings, becoming only the sixth batter from a full-member nation to record back-to-back ducks in men’s T20I history. However, Nawaz turned the tide with a spectacular 44-ball century, the fastest by a Pakistani in T20Is, which played a pivotal role in securing the win and earned him the Player of the Match award.
Reflecting on his performance, Nawaz admitted he was initially disheartened by his poor start but credited his teammates for their encouragement. “The way I got out in the first two matches, I was very disheartened, but the captain and Shadab supported me. They told me I am a match-winner, and that helped me,” Nawaz said during the post-match presentation.
He added, “I just had in my mind that I needed to score a single first in international cricket, and then I felt relaxed, and the pressure was released. I had so much backing, and I am so grateful to my captain.”
Nawaz, who hails from Layyah—a region with limited cricketing infrastructure—shared his journey from playing tape-ball cricket to representing Pakistan on the international stage. He acknowledged the support of his family and mentors in helping him achieve his childhood dream of playing for Pakistan.
With his breakthrough performance, Nawaz has established himself as a promising talent for Pakistan’s future, showcasing his potential to become a key player in the team.
