A Dream Realized on ODI Debut
Pakistan’s rising batting talent Hasan Nawaz has described becoming Player of the Match on his ODI debut as the fulfilment of a childhood dream. Speaking to the media after Pakistan’s five-wicket win over the West Indies in the series opener, the 20-year-old said he had entered the match with one goal in mind — to make his debut unforgettable.
“It was always my dream to be Player of the Match in my very first game,” Hasan said with a smile. “I am happy that I managed to achieve it.”
Guided by Senior Players
Hasan revealed that before the match, he had a clear plan to approach his innings with composure. Captain Mohammad Rizwan played a key role in motivating him. “Rizwan bhai told me to finish the match. Even when he was getting out, he reminded me again — ‘finish it for the team,’” Hasan recounted.
The young batter also credited senior teammates including Babar Azam and Agha Salman for providing valuable guidance during training sessions and in the dressing room. “I have learnt so much from them — how to read situations, how to manage pressure,” he said.
A Composed and Confident Knock
Chasing a target of 281, Hasan walked to the crease under pressure but stayed calm. He scored 63 runs from 54 balls, handling the West Indies bowling attack with confidence. His innings featured a mix of fluent drives, controlled aggression, and well-judged singles.
Rain during the game made conditions tricky, with the ball becoming harder to grip. Hasan admitted that early on, timing was a challenge, but he adapted. “I gave myself time and then played my shots,” he explained.
Strategic Partnership with Hussain Talat
Hasan’s stand with Hussain Talat proved decisive in steering Pakistan’s chase. Talat contributed 41 runs, and together they rotated the strike effectively, reducing the required run rate.
“The plan with Hussain was already set — both of us can play big shots, but we decided to take the game deep and finish it,” Hasan said. Their partnership broke the West Indies’ momentum and kept Pakistan ahead in the chase.
Praise for the Bowling Attack, but Room for Improvement
Hasan also lauded the team’s bowlers, especially pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, who claimed seven wickets between them. “They bowled brilliantly and set up the game for us,” he noted.
However, the debutant acknowledged that Pakistan’s fielding had room for improvement. “We made some mistakes in the field, and West Indies capitalized on them. We’ll work on that before the next match,” he said.
Match Recap: Pakistan Lead the Series
In the first ODI of the series, West Indies scored 280 runs in 49 overs, with Evin Lewis (60), Shai Hope (55), and Roston Chase (53) leading the charge. Afridi’s four wickets and Naseem’s three kept the hosts from posting an even bigger total.
Pakistan reached the target in the 49th over, finishing at 281 for five. Rizwan scored 53, Babar Azam 47, and Agha Salman 23, but it was Hasan Nawaz’s debut knock that stole the headlines.
The victory gave Pakistan a 1–0 lead in the three-match series, putting pressure on the West Indies to win the second game to stay alive in the contest.
Looking Ahead
With his debut behind him, Hasan is keen to build on the performance. “This is just the start,” he said. “I want to keep contributing to Pakistan’s victories and play my part in every match.”
Pakistan will face West Indies in the second ODI knowing that a win will secure the series. For the visitors, maintaining momentum and confidence will be key to sealing back-to-back victories.
