In a list featuring some of the most famous names in all of cricket, Mohammad Nawaz emerged as an unexpected hero in Pakistan’s victory over India in Dubai.
Many were surprised when the lefties were promoted to number 4 in the order of play as Pakistan chased 182 points to win the Asian Super Cup 4.
Pakistan lost to their closest rivals seven days earlier, and looked set to do the same as they won 63-2 in the ninth round.
Nawaz’s bat is often considered secondary to his pitcher, but he chose the perfect timing to prove he was a big hitman.
The 28-year-old fired 42 shots from just 20 balls to get his team back on track. Both teams were packed with spectators, with 24,511 of whom made it past peak time to watch the match.
Even though he left without finishing his work, the momentum was unavoidably in his team’s favor.
Mohammed Rizwan, who scored 71 of 51, brought Pakistan even closer, despite the pain from a knee injury that erupted in goal in the first half.
Then Khushdil Shah and Ithikhar Ahmed sealed victory with five kicks in the final set, a result that put Pakistan two points closer to Sunday’s final on the same court.
For most of this encounter, India appears to be taking matters into its own hands. In the first match between the two teams a week earlier, India had made a breakthrough into Pakistan’s arsenal in the first round thanks to their quick-playing.
This time, on a faster pitch, Pakistan’s lineup of fast throwers – each with incredible speed – wasn’t easy.
Rohit Sharma opened the ball with a forward-footed shot for six, on the last ball sent in by Naseem Shah in the first pass.
It was the signal for a flamboyant start to the match. He and KL Rahul shared 54 for the first goal, before captain Rohit fell on the first ball from the sixth over.
So, unlike previous encounters, it is slow bakers in Pakistan that are holding back India in their quest to set big targets.
Nawaz, with his left arm pitcher, made a miserable 25 in his four innings, and won the baton from Suryakumar Yadav who was at his best.
Shadab Khan’s footwork brought Rahul and Rishabh Pant back into the game.
Virat Kohli did not miss this great start. The former captain scored his team’s best score with 60 points, the second half-century in a row in the competition.
He kissed his shirt badge after hitting the milestone with a six on the last shipment sent by Mohammed Hasnain.
His stay only ended in the final with a stunning straight kick from Asif Ali – working unlike Martin Guptill’s loss to MS Dhoni at the 2019 World Cup.
With just two balls remaining, Pakistan felt like they had India where they wanted to be. Then the dynamics reversed again.
Fakhar Zaman, widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s best outfield players, made two big mistakes in his last two deliveries. That means Pakistan is chasing seven more points than they could, as India finished 181 for seven points.
Zaman owes his team, but his hitting attempts are lukewarm. He scored 15 times and consumed 18 balls.
His departure brought Nawaz to the pitch, and the attack he wrought was decisive. By the time he left, Pakistan was leading 136 to 3 in the middle of the 16th round.
But it’s not easy. They needed seven balls in the final, played by Arshdeep Singh, who had just brought down Asif in what appeared to be the climax of death overs.
When he traps Asif lbw when two balls are still needed, his nerves are tense. But Ifthikhar scored the winner on the first ball he encountered.
