Nawaz looks to cement place in Pakistan line-up

DUBLIN: Debutant Mohammad Nawaz was pleasantly surprised when he was asked to bat at number seven ahead of the more experienced Imad Wasim.

Pakistan had just lost Sarfraz Ahmed (2) and were placed at 227-5 in the 33rd over being propelled by opener Sharjeel Khan’s brutal 152 in the opening One-day International against Ireland at Malahide on Thursday.

Nawaz, 22, obliged with a fifty on debut and in the process put up a 105-run stand for the sixth wicket with Shoaib Malik (57). Nawaz’s 53 came off 50 balls and included seven fours. Later he also took a wicket as Imad and Umar Gul bowled out Ireland for 82, giving Pakistan a 255-run victory.

“I was surprised when they asked me to bat at number seven,” said Nawaz. “But I saw it as a good opportunity and tried to bat positively,” he said.

The Rawalpindi-born Nawaz, who has also played two Twenty20 Internationals, said that he would work hard to cement his place in both of Pakistan’s limited-overs squads.

“I know it’s tough because there are so many good players but I will keep working hard,” said Nawaz, who has played 29 first-class match, 51 List-A games.

There was another Pakistani debutant who featured in the Malahide massacre of Ireland. Hasan Ali, the young pacer who was one of the success stories of Pakistan A’s tour of England earlier this season, bowled five overs and gave away 21 runs. He virtually went unnoticed as first Sharjeel Khan and then Imad Wasim hogged the limelight.

But the 22-year-old said that he felt great making his international debut for Pakistan.

“My own performance wasn’t noteworthy but it was a great experience to play my first match for Pakistan,” said the youngster from Mandi Bahauddin. “It’s a learning curve for and God willing I will give my best for the country soon.”