In an exciting clash between Pakistan and the West Indies, debutant Hassan Nawaz emerged as the star of the match, earning the coveted Player of the Match award for his match-winning performance. Speaking after the game, Hassan revealed that his primary goal had been to make his debut truly unforgettable — and he did just that with a composed and confident display.

In an exclusive conversation with Geo News, Hassan Nawaz shared the emotions running through his mind before and during the match. “It was my debut game, and I had promised myself that I would make it memorable by winning the Player of the Match award,” he said. The young batsman explained that captain Mohammad Rizwan played a pivotal role in keeping him focused and motivated throughout the game. “Even while we were batting, Rizwan bhai kept reminding me, ‘It’s your debut match, you have to finish it.’ When I was going out to bat, he said the same thing. That constant encouragement gave me confidence,” Hassan explained.

The debutant credited his finishing skills to his experience in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he had been involved in similar high-pressure situations. “I knew I could finish the match because in the PSL I’ve done it many times before. This time, the opportunity came in the national colors, and thankfully, I was able to deliver,” he added.

One of the key challenges during the match was the weather. Hassan mentioned that the rain had made the ball slippery, affecting the grip for bowlers and making batting slightly unpredictable. “Due to the rain, the ball was gripping, so I took a little extra time to settle in. I discussed it with Hussain Talat, and our plan was simple — build a solid partnership and then go for the big hits. We both knew that if we stayed till the end, finishing the game would be much easier,” he recalled.

The strategy paid off brilliantly as both batsmen complemented each other, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries. Hassan pointed out that both he and Talat have the ability to hit big shots, and that helped them keep the required run rate under control.

Reflecting on the conditions, Hassan said that his experience in domestic cricket on tough pitches proved invaluable. “I’ve played on difficult pitches in domestic cricket, and that really helps in situations like this. You don’t panic when the ball isn’t coming onto the bat,” he explained.

Hassan also spoke about the learning environment in the national squad, highlighting the influence of senior players. “You get to learn a lot from stars like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Salman Ali Agha. Their advice, whether during practice sessions or in matches, is priceless. In bowling, Shahid Afridi and Naseem Shah’s performance was excellent, and they kept us in the game,” he said. However, he also admitted that Pakistan’s fielding was not up to the mark. “We made some misfields, and West Indies took full advantage of that. At the international level, small mistakes can cost you, so we need to work on that,” he observed.

On the bowling front, Pakistan had moments of brilliance but also areas for improvement. Hassan acknowledged that while the bowling unit did well overall, there were still lessons to learn from the match. “Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah bowled with a lot of heart, and that put pressure on the opposition. But in T20 cricket, you have to maintain that pressure till the very last ball,” he noted.

From the skipper’s perspective, Mohammad Rizwan was full of praise for his young teammate. Speaking after the match, Rizwan credited Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Talat for the victory. “The credit goes to both of them. They batted brilliantly under pressure. It’s not easy in your debut match to handle such situations, but Hassan did it with maturity. Hussain supported him perfectly,” Rizwan said. However, he was also candid about Pakistan’s bowling performance, saying, “There is definitely room for improvement in our bowling. In T20 cricket, you can’t afford to give away too many loose balls, and we’ll work on that before the next game.”

The match was a testament to Pakistan’s emerging batting depth, with young talents like Hassan Nawaz showing that they can step up when it matters most. The calmness with which Hassan and Talat approached the chase reflected not only skill but also a clear game plan, which was executed to perfection.

Hassan Nawaz’s debut will be remembered not just for the runs he scored, but for the way he absorbed pressure, adapted to the conditions, and finished the game. His performance will undoubtedly boost his confidence and cement his place in the minds of selectors and fans alike.

For Pakistan, the victory was another step forward in building a well-balanced T20 side capable of handling high-pressure situations. For Hassan Nawaz, it was the perfect start to what could be a long and fruitful international career — a debut where words of encouragement from his captain turned into a match-winning reality.