Hasan finds confidence through basics

Pakistan middle-order batsman Hasan Nawaz said on Wednesday that being dropped from the national side forced him to return to basics and helped rebuild his confidence after a difficult spell of form.

The dashing batsman returned to domestic after losing his place in the national team, playing on different grounds across Punjab as he worked on a plan laid out by head coach Mike Hesson and the coaching staff.

Nawaz was subsequently recalled and made his comeback against India, the same opposition against whom he had struggled before being dropped.

Although Pakistan eventually lost the match, Nawaz believes his performance against the world’s top-ranked side has given him renewed confidence.

“When I was dropped from the team, Mike and other coaches gave me a plan, which I worked on,” Nawaz told reporters at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

“I returned to basics and played with local cricketers on different grounds across Punjab.”

For Hasan, the experience was more than simply a way of regaining form. He believes playing on local pitches against unfamiliar bowlers can provide valuable preparation for international cricket.

“As far as local grounds are concerned, there you get tough pitches and play different bowlers,” he said.

“I think we all should play cricket there, and when you get a good pitch, it becomes easy to perform.”

Hasan’s return against India carried added significance because of how his previous spell had ended.

“I think I was dropped while underperforming against India, and I made a comeback against the same opposition,” he said.

Pakistan were unable to turn Hasan’s return into victory, suffering a narrow defeat after failing to make the most of key moments in the final against India in the Asian Games.

“We couldn’t win the match, which was a sad feeling,” Hasan said.

“It was a close game, we lost it by making some silly mistakes,” Hasan was quick to add.

Despite the disappointment, Hasan believes facing India can provide an important confidence boost, particularly given their current standing in international cricket.

“There is no hiding that they (India ) are the number one team in the world currently, and performing against them gives me a lot of confidence,” he said.

He said he also travelled to Japan after the CPL with a clear motivation to contribute to Pakistan, but admitted the side ultimately allowed the match against India to slip away.

“When I was on my way to Japan after playing the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) I had the motivation to do something for the country,” Hasan said.

“But some mistakes cost us the game.”

India had downed Pakistan in the 20th Asian Games final by 19 runs.

Pakistan were reduced to 192-6 while chasing a stiff target of 212 in Nisshin and had to content with a silver medal.