Atiq-uz-Zaman: “I actually criticised Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf quite a lot previously but, you know, they proved me wrong now. When they play well, obviously we have to praise them”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan cricketer Atiq-uz-Zaman has admitted that he used to criticise all-rounders Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf a lot, but they have proven him wrong with their recent performances.
Both have cemented spots in the T20I side and have delivered match-winning contributions as of late.
Nawaz has emerged as a reliable wicket-taking option, providing crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs, while Faheem has impressed with the bat in pressure situations.
One standout moment came in Pakistan’s 2026 T20 World Cup opener against the Netherlands, when Faheem played a match-saving innings of 29 not out off just 11 balls, steering the men in green to victory and preventing what could have been an early upset.
“I actually criticised Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf quite a lot previously but, you know, they proved me wrong now. When they play well, obviously we have to praise them,” Atiq told PakPassion.
So far in the 2026 T20 World Cup, Nawaz has taken four wickets in four matches at an average of 27.25 and an economy rate of 7.26.
He has also made 15 runs at an average of five and a strike-rate of 53.57.
As for Faheem, he has amassed 40 runs at an average of 20 and a strike-rate of 148.14.
Pakistan have made it through to the Super Eights after beating the Netherlands, United States of America and Namibia in the group stage. Their only loss came against arch-rivals India.
Next up for them will be a clash against New Zealand on February 21 in Colombo.
Pakistan Squad for 2026 T20 World Cup: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq