When the Pakistan squad for the T20I series against Bangladesh was announced, one name on the list had fans scratching their heads: Mohammad Nawaz.
The left-arm all-rounder has been recalled to the national white-ball side, but the decision has triggered a fair share of debate. Given his recent form, many are asking the same question: Has Nawaz really done enough to earn this comeback?
The Numbers Don’t Favour Him
Let’s take a closer look. Mohammad Nawaz hasn’t featured in a T20I for Pakistan since January 2024, when he played against New Zealand. Since then, things haven’t exactly gone uphill.
He was released by Karachi Kings ahead of the PSL 10 draft and eventually picked up by Islamabad United. But even there, opportunities were few and far between, just four matches in the tournament.
In those limited outings, he managed 88 runs at a strike rate of 127.53 and picked up only two wickets. Not exactly eye-catching numbers.
And before that, in the Champions T20 Cup, he returned seven wickets in ten games while scoring 91 runs.
So, Why Was He Picked?
Pakistan’s T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha was quick to address the raised eyebrows on Monday. Speaking to the media during the white-ball camp, Salman said the decision to include Nawaz came purely as a like-for-like replacement for Shadab Khan, who is recovering from shoulder surgery.
“Nawaz was selected because of Shadab’s injury. Performance goes up and down — that’s why it is important to analyse the ability of a player,” Salman explained.
Experience Does Count, But Is It Enough?
There’s no denying that Mohammad Nawaz brings experience. Since making his T20I debut in 2016, he has featured in 60 matches, scoring 477 runs at a strike rate of 134.36 and taking 50 wickets at an average of 27.22.
Those aren’t world-beating numbers, but they are solid. He’s also been part of high-pressure games and understands the dynamics of international cricket, something a youngster may still be learning.
But with so many exciting all-round options in Pakistan’s domestic setup, is it fair to give another run to a player whose recent form hasn’t inspired much confidence?
Nawaz’s inclusion sends out a clear message: experience still holds weight in Pakistan’s selection room. However, it also opens up a larger discussion about how performance should be balanced with experience.
Whether or not Nawaz makes the most of this opportunity remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure, he’s on thin ice. With Shadab expected to return in the near future, and young players waiting in the wings, this could be Nawaz’s last real shot at redemption.
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