Speaking after Pakistan’s narrow loss to West Indies, spinning all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz emphasized the importance of contributing in all three departments of the game—batting, bowling, and fielding—and expressed hope for improved results in the final match of the series.
“As a spinning all-rounder, my responsibility is to make an impact with both bat and ball,” Nawaz stated. “My preparation is centered around what the team needs from me in every aspect—batting, bowling, and even fielding. I try to tailor my efforts accordingly.”
Reflecting on Pakistan’s innings, Nawaz praised young batter Hasan Nawaz and skipper Salman Ali Agha for their partnership during a tough phase of the game. “Given the situation we were in, Hasan Nawaz batted exceptionally well. In such challenging conditions, the partnership between him and Salman Ali Agha was very important. Salman handled the spinners well, and both deserve credit for rebuilding the innings. Unfortunately, we couldn’t finish the innings strongly.”
When asked about his own performance, Nawaz admitted he hasn’t had a chance to contribute much with the bat in the series so far but remains optimistic. “I haven’t batted in either of the two games yet, but I’m always prepared. Whether it’s batting or bowling, I aim to have a positive impact whenever the team needs me.”
Discussing the pitch conditions, Nawaz pointed out the slow nature of the surface, which he said offered significant assistance to spinners. “It’s not just the fast bowlers who take wickets—on pitches like this, spinners get a lot of help.”
He also came to the defense of pacer Hasan Ali, who had an off day with the ball. “This is T20 cricket. Anyone can have a bad day. Today it was Hasan Ali’s. But overall, our bowling unit performed well. Considering the conditions, we were 15-20 runs short—the par score should’ve been around 150-160—but the way our bowlers and fielders fought was commendable.”
Nawaz concluded on a hopeful note, emphasizing unity and confidence within the squad. “It was a fighting game. Our effort now is to regroup, especially with the fast bowlers, and perform well in the next match. God willing, they will help us win.”
