INTERVIEW

NAWAZ AIMS TO MAKE A LASTING IMPRESSION AS A LEFT-ARM SPINNER IN PAKISTAN

Mohammad Nawaz, the versatile left-arm spinner from Pakistan, stumbled upon his craft by chance during a tour with the age-level squad in the West Indies.

Since then, he has honed his skills to become a vital asset for Pakistan’s white-ball squads.

Nawaz, who recently represented Khulna Tigers in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League, shared insights about his journey and experiences in an exclusive chat with Cricpulse.

CAN YOU TELL US HOW YOU TURNED OUT TO BE A LEFT-ARM SPINNER?

During my Under-15 days, I primarily considered myself a batting all-rounder and used to bowl medium pace.

However, during a tour to the West Indies, circumstances led me to bowl spin in a crucial game.

Surprisingly, I managed to pick up a couple of wickets, which prompted my coach to suggest I continue bowling spin alongside my batting.

From that point on, I transitioned into a spin bowling all-rounder, despite initially being inclined towards pace bowling.

WHAT DO YOU FOCUS ON AS A LEFT-ARM SPINNER? PACE VARIATIONS OR TURN?

In T20 cricket, it’s imperative to vary your pace to keep the batsmen guessing.

I have been particularly focused on honing my pace variations, drawing inspiration from players like Mitchell Santner.

The ability to change pace suddenly can often lead to mistimed shots and wickets.

However, it’s crucial to maintain control while varying pace, which requires consistent practice and hard work.

WHO WAS YOUR IDOL AS A LEFT-ARM SPINNER?

Growing up, Pakistan was renowned for producing fast bowlers, and there weren’t many prominent left-arm spinners to idolize.

While we had legendary leg spinners like Abdul Qadir and Mushtaq Ahmed, left-arm spinners were relatively scarce.

Despite this, I have drawn inspiration from various players and strived to carve my own path in left-arm spin bowling.

DO YOU FEEL THAT GAME DEVELOPED AS A CRICKETER CONSIDERING IT MUST HAVE BEEN A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR YOU HAVING CONCEDED 16 IN THAT FINAL OVER?

Absolutely, that game against India in the T20 World Cup at the MCG was a significant learning experience for me.

While it was a challenging moment, facing such high-pressure situations helps you grow as a cricketer.

Despite conceding runs in that final over, I believe it has contributed to my ability to adapt and perform better under similar circumstances in the future.

Nawaz’s journey exemplifies the resilience and adaptability required to succeed at the highest level of cricket, and his dedication to mastering his craft continues to make him a valuable asset for Pakistan cricket.