Hasan Nawaz back to domestic circuit

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan cricket selectors have finally awakened to the harsh realities of international cricket after realizing that young batting prodigy Hasan Nawaz’s glaring weakness against spin bowling makes him a liability at the top level.

As Pakistan cricketers reached Islamabad Sunday, Hasan Nawaz was released for three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka and the T20I tri-nation series featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

Once hailed as the “find of the decade” following a string of performances on batting-friendly pitches, Hasan has now been sent back to domestic cricket, a move aimed at helping him overcome the fundamental flaws in his technique before he can be considered again for the national side.

The selectors’ early euphoria over Hasan’s talent, largely fueled by a few eye-catching PSL knocks, has now given way to concern. Despite his impressive stroke play on flat wickets, Hasan’s inability to pick spin from the hand, his lack of footwork, and his struggles on turning tracks exposed the hollowness of his credentials at the international level. Even at the grassroots stage, the former Lashings Club cricketer found it hard to dominate quality spin attacks, a technical shortcoming that the selectors can no longer overlook.

Insiders believe the decision to sideline Hasan stems from Pakistan’s strategic planning for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, to be held in Sri Lanka, where most pitches are expected to favor spinners. “On such spin-friendly tracks, Hasan’s presence in the XI could have been a serious risk,” a team official told The News. “It’s better to address his weaknesses now rather than expose them on the world stage.”

The move also comes amid growing criticism of the selection committee’s approach, particularly the tendency to promote players based on one-off PSL performances instead of sustained domestic consistency. Analysts argue that the hasty elevation of Hasan Nawaz, while consistent performers like Abbas Afridi continue to be ignored, reflects an ongoing imbalance in Pakistan’s selection philosophy.

As selectors hit the reset button, Pakistan’s middle-order once again finds itself in a state of experimentation and rebuilding. The decision to drop Hasan is not just about one player, it is a wake-up call for the entire system to adopt a more methodical, merit-based approach ahead of major global events.

If Hasan can correct his flaws and return as a more complete batter, this setback may well turn out to be the turning point of his career. Until then, the message is loud and clear: technique, temperament, and adaptability, not hype will determine a player’s future in Pakistan cricket. The ODIs will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 11 to 15 November, while the tri-nation series will be staged in Rawalpindi and Lahore from 17 to 29 November.

Left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman will replace Hasan in the T20I squad, while no player will be added to the ODI squad as Hasan’s replacement.

Updated 15-member ODI squad:

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha

Updated 15-member T20I squad:

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicket-keeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wicket-keeper), Usman Tariq

Sri Lanka tour to Pakistan

11 November – First ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

13 November – Second ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

15 November – Third ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

T20I Tri-Series (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe)

17 November – Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

19 November – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

22 November – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

23 November – Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

25 November – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

27 November – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

29 November –Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore