Photo Credit: Karachi Kings
Pakistan’s first-choice spin all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz is all set to don the colours of Karachi Kings and add valuable depth to the former champions’ combination with his all-round abilities in the upcoming ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Hailing from Akbarpura, Rawalpindi, Nawaz is undoubtedly one of the biggest finds of the HBL PSL.
The left-arm spinner represented Quetta Gladiators in the inaugural edition of the marquee league and immediately made a name for himself with his flawless skills. Nawaz finished as the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 13 dismissals.
His incredible season brought him onto the radar of the national team’s selectors and he got picked in Pakistan’s squad for the 2016 Asia Cup in Bangladesh. He also made his ODI and Test debut in the same year.
Following his international debut, Mohammad Nawaz continued to shine not only for Pakistan but also for his HBL PSL franchise for a mammoth eight years. He also led the Gladiators in the previous edition, becoming only the second captain of the franchise after wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed.
He was then released by the franchise and became one of the hottest picks in the HBL PSL 9 Players Draft. Acknowledging his all-round prowess, Karachi Kings wasted no time and roped him in as their second pick in the Platinum category.
His inclusion in the Kings’ squad is expected to work wonders for the team. Not only can he contribute with his exceptional batting and bowling skills, but his presence on the field is also nothing short of extraordinary. With him on board, the team is poised to achieve greater stability and an improved team combination.
Although Mohammad Nawaz proved himself as an all-format player numerous times, it is the T20 format in which he excelled the most.
He has thus far played 242 T20s and picked up 194 wickets with the best bowling figures of 5/24. The all-rounder also accumulated 2857 runs at a handy average of 22 with the help of eight half-centuries.
Mohammad Nawaz has always been a force to be reckoned with in the HBL PSL as the 29-year-old is the sixth leading wicket-taker in tournament history with 70 scalps in 76 appearances. His tally of 70 wickets is the highest by a left-arm spinner.
He is equally impressive with the bat and has 728 HBL PSL runs to his name in just 58 innings.
