Tag: Mohammad Nawaz

All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz is under investigation by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after testing positive for recreational drug use, ESPNcricinfo reported on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old all-rounder, who is currently representing Multan Sultans in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, was reportedly flagged during testing conducted at the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

A PCB spokesperson confirmed that the matter has been formally taken up after communication from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about this matter, and PCB has begun the due process. The results of this process will be communicated to the ICC today,” the spokesperson stated.

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While the ICC has refrained from commenting publicly, reports suggest the positive result stems from samples taken during the global tournament, where Nawaz featured in all seven matches for Pakistan.

He scored 15 runs and claimed seven wickets as the team exited at the Super Eight stage.

The development has also impacted Nawaz’s participation in the T20 Blast. His proposed stint with Surrey County Cricket Club for the upcoming season has been called off.

The left-arm spinner had earlier secured a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the PCB and was expected to feature throughout the competition, scheduled from late May to mid-July.

However, following the positive test, the deal has fallen through, with Surrey opting not to proceed with the signing. The English county has declined to comment on the matter.

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LAHORE: Pakistan on Sunday crushed Australia by a hefty margin of 111 runs in the third and final T20I as Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Nawaz starred to give the home side a timely confidence booster ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Set a daunting 208, Australia were skittled for 96 in 16.5 overs, with the last batter, Adam Zampa, not coming out to bat.

The home side inflicted a miserable start on Australia as Shaheen Afridi knocked over Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh on the fourth ball of the over.

This set the tone as the Australian batting order could not deliver, with Matthew Short and Matt Renshaw getting dismissed in a cheap manner.

As a result, Australia were reduced to 16-3 in 2.5 overs with Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis at the crease.

The pair arrested the slide with a 44-run partnership for the fourth wicket, propelling the score to 60 in 9.1 overs.

Mohammad Nawaz broke the threatening stand, cleaning up Stoinis. The all-rounder made 23 from 22 with the help of three fours.

Following the wicket, the Australian innings quickly unfolded with Nawaz tormented through the visitors’ batting order.

The whole side was eventually bowled out, leading to their largest defeat margin in T20Is.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz picked up five wicket haul in his quota of four overs while giving away 19. Shaheen Shah Afridi also took two wickets.

Earlier, Saim Ayub and Babar Azam’s gutsy half-centuries and a quick-fire knock from Shadab Khan propelled Pakistan to a big total

Opting to bat first, Pakistan racked up 207-6 at the end of their 20 overs.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bat first proved decisive as the hosts recovered from an early setback to post their highest total of the series in the Pakistan vs Australia T20I clash.

The Green Shirts made a stuttering start when opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for 10 in the second over, with just 14 runs on the board.

The early wicket brought Agha to the crease at number three, but the skipper failed to repeat his earlier heroics, falling for a three-ball five to Ben Dwarshuis, leaving Pakistan struggling at 34 for 2 in 3.4 overs.

The innings steadied when experienced campaigner Babar Azam joined Saim Ayub, and the pair shifted momentum with a brisk 69-run partnership for the third wicket. Ayub was the aggressor, finding the gaps with ease before being dismissed on the first ball of the 12th over.

Ayub top-scored with a polished 56 off 37 balls, striking six fours and two sixes, before holing out to a spectacular catch by Matthew Renshaw in the deep off Matthew Kuhnemann.

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Babar then combined briefly with Khawaja Nafay, adding 28 runs for the fourth wicket. Nafay impressed with a quick 21 off 12 balls, hitting two sixes and a boundary before departing.

With Pakistan well placed at 131 for 4 after 14 overs, all-rounder Shadab Khan provided late impetus, smashing a rapid 46 off just 19 deliveries, including five sixes among seven boundaries.

Shadab also shared a vital 57-run stand with Babar, who anchored the innings and remained unbeaten on 50 from 36 balls, featuring three fours and a six.

For Australia, Ben Dwarshuis was the most effective bowler, finishing with 2 for 39, while Matthew Kuhnemann, Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly, and Matthew Short claimed one wicket each.

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DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced the shortlisted players for the Men’s Player of the Month award for November 2025, including Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz.

According to the ICC press release, the trio also features South Africa off-spinner Simon Harmer and Bangladesh’s leading Test wicket-taker, Taijul Islam.

“A trio of standout performers from South Africa, Bangladesh and Pakistan have been nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award in November,” the cricket governing body wrote.

Harmer is shortlisted on the back of his outstanding performance in the Test series against India, where he scalped 17 wickets at a mouthwatering average of only 8.94.

His heroics played a vital role in the Proteas’ first 2-0 series win against India, marking South Africa’s first in India since 2000.

The 36-year-old Harmer broke the back of India’s batting lineup with eight wickets in the opening Test, followed by nine in the second to seal a historic series win, hence earning him the Player of the Series award.

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The second contender on the list is Taijul Islam, who starred in the two-Test home series against Ireland.

The left-arm spinner scalped 13 wickets at an average of 26.30 and finished the series as the leading wicket-taker.

The third nominee on the list is Mohammad Nawaz, who had a dream run in Pakistan’s home season across white-ball formats.

The all-rounder played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s success during the tri-series victory over Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

With the bat, he managed to score 104 ODI runs at 52 with an impressive strike rate of 114.28, alongside picking up four wickets.

In T20Is, he scored 52 runs and bagged 11 wickets at just 12.72. His decisive 3 for 17 in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka earned him the Player of the Series award.

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RAWALPINDI: Mohammad Nawaz opened up after his all-round brilliance guided Pakistan to a five-wicket victory against Zimbabwe.

Pakistan chased down the 148-run target in 19.2 overs, losing five wickets in the process in the opening match of the tri-series here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan played a vital role after the Green Shirts were reduced to 54-4 in 9.3 overs.

The duo stitched a vital 61-run stand. Fakhar’s 32-ball 44 included two sixes and two fours, while Usman Khan’s gutsy 37 from 28 featured three fours.

With Green Shirts requiring 33 from 24 balls, Mohammad Nawaz walked in and forged a 36-run partnership alongside Usman that helped his side cross the finishing line.

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Nawaz hit two fours and a six in his 21 from only 12 balls, while Usman Khan’s gutsy 37 from 28 featured three fours.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Nawaz reflected on his performance, calling the win a confidence booster for the team.

“I am feeling good, and starting the series well gives you good confidence as a team,” he said.

Regarding the conditions, he highlighted the role of pitch and his game plan.

Zimbabwe were off to a flyer as they posted 71 in just eight overs. However, things started to turn in Pakistan’s favour when the spinners came to bowl. It was Nawaz’s four overs that turned the momentum in the home side’s favor.

Catch Pakistan Tri-Series news updates here!

“Can be a little difficult sometimes, still, as a bowler, I was just trying to stick to my plan. And the pitch was helping a little as well,” he said. [The pitch ] was a little different. Rawalpindi is my home ground, and usually high scoring. But today it played different,” he continued.

The 31-year-old said he is confident in his game but also emphasized adaptability in T20 cricket.

“I feel I’m at the top of my game, but T20 cricket momentum can change in one or two overs, so you have to be on top all the time and keep reading the situation of the game. That’s what we did well today, I think. I also want to dedicate this award to my family and kids,” he concluded.

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DUBAI: Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has made a notable rise, entering the top ten of the latest ICC Men’s T20I Rankings released on Wednesday.

The left-handed spinner climbed eight spots to secure the sixth position among the world’s best all-rounders.

The rise comes on the back of Nawaz’s impressive all-round display in the first T20I against South Africa in Rawalpindi, where he claimed three wickets and smashed 36 off just 20 deliveries.

Despite Pakistan’s 55-run loss, the 31-year-old’s individual performance stood out as one of the few positives.

Meanwhile, young left-hander Saim Ayub continues to lead the ICC Men’s T20I All-Rounder Rankings with 262 rating points, maintaining his position ahead of India’s Hardik Pandya and Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi.

In the T20I batters’ list, Sahibzada Farhan climbed one place to 11th with 670 rating points, consolidating his position as Pakistan’s top-ranked T20I batter.

Mohammad Rizwan also rose one spot to 40th, while Babar Azam retained his 39th position.

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Among bowlers, Abrar Ahmed slipped one place to eighth, while Shaheen Shah Afridi dropped two places to 16th.

Sufiyan Muqeem and Haris Rauf also slid down to 19th and 34th, respectively. Nawaz, however, continued his upward trend, gaining six places to reach 33rd.

In ODIs, there were minor shifts in the performance of several Pakistani players.

Mohammad Rizwan climbed one spot to 24th in the batting rankings, followed by Imam-ul-Haq at 40th and Saim Ayub at 53rd. Salman Ali Agha, however, dropped to 39th.

Among ODI bowlers, Shaheen Afridi moved up to 14th, while Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah gained one place each to sit at 38th and 43rd, respectively. Mohammad Nawaz slipped three spots to 72nd.

In the all-rounders’ category, Salman Ali Agha climbed to 19th, while Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah held steady at 27th and 36th. Haris Rauf and Saim Ayub both advanced to jointly occupy the 55th position.

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RAWALPINDI: South Africa made a triumphant start to the T20I series against the hosts Pakistan with a comprehensive 55-run victory here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Set a daunting 195-run target, Pakistan’s batting line faltered and were bowled out for 139 in 18.1 overs.

Sahizbada Farhan and Saim Ayub provided a good start with a 31-run stand in 4.5 overs. Farhan was bowled after making 24 from 19, whereas Saim got going after being dropped for nought earlier in the innings.

Once Farhan departed, the Proteas bowler tore through the home side’s middle order. Babar Azam could do much on his return to the shorter format, as he was caught for a duck.

Catch Pakistan vs South Africa news updates here!

Salman Ali Agha followed him after and could only manage two. Consequently, the Green Shirts were reduced to 3-43 in 7.2 overs.

Following the early hiccups, Saim then partnered with Usman Khan for a 39-run partnership. The duo’s brief stand somehow managed to arrest the slide.

Pakistan were gaining momentum; however, Saim’s wicket sparked a collapse that Pakistan could not recover from. The southpaw went back after scoring 37 from 28 balls, studded with a boundary and four sixes.

As a result, the home side slumped to 89-7 in 12.5 overs and were bowled out for a mere score.

For South Africa, Corbin Bosch starred with the ball, scalping four wickets in his quota of four overs. George Linde was equally good with three wickets.

Earlier, Reeza Hendricks’ 60 from 40 balls powered South Africa to a strong total.

Put in to bat, South Africa put on a strong batting display, racking up 194-9 in their 20 overs.

Openers Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks were off to a flyer, posting 44 in just 3.5 overs. The former rolled back the clock with his elegant stroke play, while the latter rose to the occasion with fine shots.

The dangerous stand eventually culminated in the introduction of Saim Ayub, removing De Kock after scoring 23 off 12 with the aid of five cracking fours.

Despite the wicket, the Proteas continued on their merry way with Tony de Zorzi taking Pakistani bowlers to the cleaners. The left-hander belted Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed for five fours and ended the powerplay with his side 74-1.

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However, once Mohammad Nawaz was introduced into the attack, the scoring rate went down, and De Zorzi was stumped due to a clever piece of bowling. He made 33 from 16, striking five fours and a maximum. As a result, South Africa were 2-93 in 7.4 overs.

Mohammad Nawaz kept mounting pressure with an excellent bowling spell. He cut through the Proteas’ middle order, which pegged them back and allowed Pakistan to squeeze their scoring rate.

However, Hendricks held the innings together and struck a half-century, with wickets tumbling around him. He hit five fours and a six in his knock.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz remained the standout bowler, picking up three wickets in his quota of four overs.

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SHARJAH: Pakistan men’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has shared his thoughts on the national team’s recent performances in the build-up to the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025, slated to commence tomorrow.

Pakistan is coming off a tri-series final triumph over Afghanistan, proving a timely confidence booster for the team ahead of the continental tournament.

Mike Hesson praised Pakistan team performances and expressed confidence during a preview session on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) YouTube channel.

“I’m pleased with the way the team is progressing. I think we’re not the finished product yet, but to win, 10 out of 14 games is a good start,” Hesson stated.

“It took us a heck of a long time to win 10 games leading up to this. We’ve beaten Afghanistan and conditions that certainly suit their spin attack. So that was uh a confidence builder for the group and to win a final where there’s a bit of
pressure on the line,” he added.

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The 50-year-old highlighted the progress of the newly built team and their adaptability in the tri-series.

“We are still a developing side, not yet the finished product, but the progress is encouraging. One of the important aspects of the Tri-Series was adapting to four different pitches,” Hesson elaborated.

He further lauded Fakhar Zaman’s and Mohammad Nawaz’s vital contributions for the Pakistan team in the tri-series.

“Fakhar has steadily improved throughout the tri-series, gaining confidence after coming back from injury. His 77 not out was an important knock, not just for him but for the team as well, given the lack of top-order experience.

Mohammad Nawaz, meanwhile, has been exceptional. He has been outstanding with bat, ball, and in the field. Statistically, he is the best-performing T20 bowler in world cricket this year, and he has added power-hitting value at number six or seven, ” Hesson said.

Mike Hesson emphasized the Asia Cup 2025 and team goals, noting that their first goal is to qualify for the next round.

“The key for us is to stay focused on one game at a time, without letting external pressures affect concentration. The goal is first to qualify for the Super Four, then to play consistently well to progress further. If we continue to focus on each match, we’ll give ourselves the best chance of success,” he concluded.

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SHARJAH: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha echoed a similar statement regarding Mohammad Nawaz, who was labeled as the match-winner by former captain Babar Azam. 

In 2022, Pakistan skipper at that time Babar Azam called all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz his match-winner following the side’s defeat to India in the tense ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 fixture.

Mohammad Nawaz had to defend 15 runs in the final over of the crunch match against India in Melbourne. He took the wicket of Hardik Pandya. However, it was not enough for him to seal the victory for his side.

Talking to the players after the game, Babar Azam addressed Muhammad Nawaz and praised his efforts in the match.

“You are my match winner,” he had said. “I will always believe in you. You will win matches for me. The efforts were really good.”

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Now, Salman Ali Agha has echoed similar sentiments of ace batter Babar Azam.

“If Babar Azam says it, then he must be right. The kind of performance Mohammad Nawaz has given, particularly after making his way back into the team, is commendable.

“If you watch the series against the West Indies and against Bangladesh, he has performed outstandingly well,” he added.

He lauded Nawaz’s all-round contribution in the team, hailing him as a game-changer.

“He gives you such a margin that it seems like we are playing with twelve players on the team. He is a real match-winner,” Salman Ali Agha concluded.

For context, Mohammad Nawaz helped Pakistan seal the tri-series triumph over Afghanistan by a hefty margin of 75 runs.

Nawaz was pivotal in Pakistan success, taking a hat-trick-laced five-wicket haul that demolished the Afghanistan batting lineup.

Not only that, he also contributed with the bat, making a vital knock of 25 from 21 balls at the crucial stage of the game, which provided Pakistan a late flurry in the first innings.

He was eventually named the Player of the Series for his all-round performance. During the T20I tri-series, Nawaz took 10 wickets and made 120 runs in five matches.

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SHARJAH: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha praised Mohammad Nawaz after his heroics against Afghanistan in the final of the tri-series here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Set 142, Afghanistan crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for just 66 in 15.5 overs, handing Pakistan a massive 75-run victory.

After the match, Salman Ali Agha highlighted the pitch and Pakistan’s total.

“It was the kind of wicket where even 130-140 was always going to be challenging, and once we got there, we knew it would be tough for them,” he remarked.

He lauded Mohammad Nawaz for his performance, expressing immense confidence in him during difficult situations.

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“Since Nawaz’s comeback, he’s been outstanding, performing brilliantly in all departments. For me, he’s the guy I can rely on in tough situations,” he said.

The 31-year-old spoke about playing eleven and going with two spinners in the final

“People often ask us – former cricketers, fans on social media – why we don’t play two spinners? We select based on conditions, and today it worked,” he revealed.

“We wanted to prepare in a way that helps us for the Asia Cup, and we’ve done that. We’ve been doing really well since the Bangladesh home series. Finally, we’re in very good shape and fully prepared for the Asia Cup,” he concluded.

READ: Mohammad Nawaz reflects on match-winning performance in tri-series final

SHARJAH: All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz shared his thoughts after leading Pakistan to a tri-series win over Afghanistan here at the Sharjah Stadium on Sunday.

Set 142, Afghanistan crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for just 66 in 15.5 overs.

Mohammad Nawaz starred with the bat and ball, picking up five for just 19 runs and scoring a vital 25 runs during the latter half of Pakistan’s innings.

Following the match, Nawaz stated his plan and shed light on his hat-trick-laced bowling spell.

“The plan was very simple. We knew the pitch was difficult to bat on, and we felt we had enough runs. Our focus was on disciplined bowling, sticking to line and length, and it worked, ” he said.

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“After my first two balls, I noticed there was spin, so I adjusted the pace accordingly. I bowled within the stumps, keeping the pads in view. I’m feeling really good and in rhythm, and having that control gives me confidence to stick with the plan,” he explained.

He emphasized his batting when Pakistan were in trouble, highlighting the partnerships and reaching a competitive total.

“I try to keep it simple and execute plans properly. At that point in the innings, we needed partnerships. It wasn’t easy to go after their spinners – they’re world-class – but we managed to recover and aimed for 140. Thankfully, we got there,” Nawaz concluded.

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