Posts praising all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz can be seen everywhere as the massive credit for Pakistan’s victory fell in his lap. The men in green encountered arch-rivals India in their first Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2022 and outclassed them by five wickets.
Nawaz, who does not bat at the top order, was sent to the top, and the decision turned out to be fruitful. He built an excellent partnership with opener Mohammad Rizwan, who himself put on a stellar show with 71 from 51 balls.
While chasing the target, Nawaz’s 42 off 20 gave a push to the team to touch 182. After his scalp departed, Asif Ali finished the game in style with 16 from eight balls. Iftikhar Ahmed’s decision to run for two was crucial as Arshdeep Singh delivered a yorker.
The management has not tried Nawaz at the top of the order but in the middle or as a finisher in international cricket. However, he has proved himself at the top in the National t20 Cup on multiple occasions. What he implemented in the NT20 has been utilised in Pak vs Ind Super 4 of Asia Cup 2022 and owns a huge credit for the team’s triumph.
Here is how fans and experts have been praising PCB’s wise move to send Nawaz at fourth to bat
4️⃣2️⃣ runs
2️⃣0️⃣ balls
6️⃣ fours
2️⃣ sixes
2️⃣1️⃣0️⃣ strike rate@mnawaz94 has played a gem of an innings ✨#AsiaCup2022 | #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/lQcwlDqqa3— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 4, 2022
Give credit to the management for letting Nawaz bat at this stage. Professional decision.
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) September 4, 2022
Must appreciate brilliant captaincy by Babar Azam as well, today he promoted Nawaz ahead of others seeing the conditions, in previous game Khushdil was promoted. Both decisions helped Pakistan.
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) September 4, 2022
What a match! Sensational batting from Rizwan like always and that too with an injured leg. Was a really good decision to send Mohammed Nawaz up the order and he showed that he can perform in both departments.Overall i would say that was just amazing #INDvsPAK2022 #AsiaCup2022
— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) September 4, 2022
Incredible chase by Pak but whoever thought of sending Nawaz up the order deserves applause,best thing about this innings is that he has played for the win & not his place in the side,champion innings, perhaps his career best. ?
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) September 4, 2022
Give credit to Babar Azam for promoting Nawaz up the order. World class captaincy. Pakistan is FINALLY playing modern cricket❤️
— Haroon (@hazharoon) September 4, 2022
Ever thought that we would appreciate somebody named NAWAZ? ?
Credits @TheRealPCB #nawaz #babar #rizwan #pakvsind #indvspak #asiacup pic.twitter.com/5nW6QG4qWa— Zainab Shafiq (@ZainabShafiq11) September 4, 2022
Earlier in the day, India put a solid opening with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul scoring 28 runs apiece from 16 and 20 balls, respectively surpassing 50 within the powerplay. Virat Kohli played from the front taking charge to put up a concrete target on the board. He looks back in the form of this event, as he added 60 from 44 balls.
Although Pakistani bowlers failed to stop the flow of runs in the first ten overs, they gradually were back in the game as Shadab Khan and Nawaz portrayed a stellar show with their spin balls. They also managed crucial wickets with short intervals that started falling after the very next over after the powerplay.
When Pakistan met India earlier in the Group stage, the two teams exerted equal force in two departs; however, several injuries in the green’s squad caused them the game.
