SHARJAH: Emerging Pakistan batter Hasan Nawaz has expressed full confidence in the country’s youthful T20 side, calling it the “best T20 team” after their back-to-back victories in the ongoing tri-series in the UAE. The tournament, serving as a warm-up ahead of the Asia Cup starting September 9, has already seen Pakistan dominate Afghanistan and UAE in emphatic fashion.
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The series opener against Afghanistan highlighted Pakistan’s depth as seasoned pacer Haris Rauf and captain Salman Ali Agha delivered a convincing 39-run win. Building on that momentum, the next clash against UAE saw the batters take charge. Openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan set the tone before Hasan Nawaz’s late fireworks carried Pakistan past the 200-run mark. The team sealed a 31-run victory despite UAE’s Asif Khan’s valiant 77 off 35 balls.
Hasan Nawaz, batting at number six, was the standout performer with a blistering 56 off just 26 balls. His innings, decorated with six sixes and two fours, came at a time when Pakistan needed acceleration. With Saim Ayub anchoring the top order with his 69 off 38 balls, Nawaz had the platform to launch freely. “In the beginning, Saim and Farhan had already set the tone. My mindset was that we should now aim for a bigger target. There wasn’t much time to settle, so the plan was to cross 200. I just played according to that plan,” Nawaz said after the match.
The young right-hander believes Pakistan’s current T20 unit has both talent and balance, even without seasoned campaigners like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who have been sidelined under new head coach Mike Hesson’s rebuilding plan. “You see the youngsters in front of you, all of them work very hard, even in the off-season,” Nawaz told reporters. “I honestly feel this is Pakistan’s best T20 team. The plan is to win the tri-series and then, God-willing, the Asia Cup as well.”
Pakistan’s bowling unit also showed flexibility, with Hasan Ali and Salman Mirza brought into the side in place of regular stars Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. The shuffle worked effectively, as Hasan Ali claimed 3-47, curtailing UAE’s chase after Asif Khan’s explosive resistance. For Hasan Nawaz, the decision to rotate players reflects a positive cultural shift. “I don’t see it as ‘bench strength’ because for me, all our players are equal,” the 23-year-old explained. “Hasan Ali, for example, is a senior player — you can’t call him ‘bench strength’.”
Pakistan’s youthful squad, featuring fearless stroke-makers and a dynamic bowling attack, appears to be building momentum at the perfect time. Under Hesson’s leadership, the emphasis has shifted toward fostering versatility and unity, ensuring every player feels part of the main unit rather than an alternative.
With the tri-series final scheduled for September 7, Pakistan will face Afghanistan once again in their third fixture on Thursday. For Hasan Nawaz, the journey is about more than just results — it is about carrying forward a new spirit of confidence and teamwork. “This team is prepared for every challenge,” he said with conviction. “When you play with belief, results follow.”
As the Asia Cup looms, Pakistan’s young guns are making a strong case that they can thrive on the big stage. If their current form is any indication, the future of Pakistan’s T20 cricket looks bright and explosive.
