Hasan Nawaz Dropped from Pakistan Squad After Poor Run of Form

Pakistan batter Hasan Nawaz has been dropped from both the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka and the Tri-Nation T20I series featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe after a disappointing run with the bat against South Africa.

Despite being given opportunities in two T20Is and one ODI in the recent series, the 23-year-old failed to make any significant impact. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that Nawaz will instead return to domestic cricket to feature in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in an effort to regain form and confidence.

Pakistan announced both squads on 23 October. While no replacement has been named for Nawaz in the ODI side, Fakhar Zaman has been recalled to replace him in the T20I squad for the tri-nation tournament.

Nawaz first rose to prominence in March 2024, when he smashed a match-winning century — 105 runs off 45 balls — against New Zealand in Auckland, an innings filled with powerful fours and sixes that made him an instant sensation. Expectations soared following that performance, but his form since then has dipped alarmingly. In his first ten innings, he was dismissed for a duck five times and has managed only two fifties in 25 T20I appearances.

Earlier this year, Nawaz shone in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), finishing as the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament with a strike rate of 162, helping the Quetta Gladiators reach the final. He also scored 76 runs off 43 balls in the championship match, although his side lost to Lahore Qalandars.

However, his inconsistency over the last two months has seen him slip down the pecking order. Nawaz was dropped towards the end of the Asia Cup, having failed to build on his early promise. In ODIs, he has played just four matches so far, scoring 56 runs at an average of 14. Against South Africa, he was dismissed in poor fashion — stumped off George Linde after a reckless charge — which highlighted his lack of match awareness.

His T20I form has also been underwhelming, reaching double figures only once in his last eight innings with a batting average of just 7.

The three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka is set to begin on 11 November, followed by the Tri-Nation T20I Series starting 17 November. This will mark the first-ever multi-nation T20 tournament to be hosted on Pakistani soil.

Pakistan’s selectors have emphasised that Hasan Nawaz remains part of their long-term plans but must rediscover his rhythm through consistent performances at the domestic level.

Khaborwala/SJ