Pakistan's latest batting sensation Hasan Nawaz has revealed the conversation between him and Salman Ali Agha during the high-scoring third T20I against New Zealand on Friday in Auckland. The 22-year-old disclosed that Salman wanted him to get a ton but he was more concerned about finishing the match as earlier as possible.
After ducks in the last two games and with Pakistan trailing the five-game series by 0-2, Nawaz exploded as New Zealand set them a mammoth 205 to chase down. The right-handed batter slammed a century only off 44 balls as the tourists kept the series alive by gunning down the target only in 16 overs.
Speaking at a presser after the third T20I, Nawaz claimed towards the end of the presser:
"Bilkul, unhone bola tha, lekin maine kaha match finish karo, mujhe century ka koi shauk nahin hai, insha allah main aagey bhi kar sakta hoon. Toh yehi bola tha, aap match finish karo, mere naseeb mein hoga toh main kar lunga."
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(He told me to get the hundred. But I urged him to finish the match and that I'm not interested in getting the hundred because hopefully, I can do it again. That's what I told him and if fate allows, I can get to the milestone again.)
"I had so much backing and I am so grateful to my captain" - Hasan Nawaz
Having scored an unbeaten 45-ball 105*, the 22-year-old was inevitably the Player of the Match. The youngster massively credited Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan for encouraging him despite scoring ducks in successive games.
"The way I got out in first two matches, I was very disheartened, but captain and Shadab supported me, told me I am a match winning player and that helped me. I just had in my mind that I need to score a single first in international cricket and then after that I felt relaxed and the pressure was released. I had so much backing and I am so grateful to my captain."
Pakistan and New Zealand will play in the fourth T20I on March 23 at the Mount Maunganui.
