RAWALPINDI: Hasan Nawaz said he had set his sights on a total of 300 or more against England, while Arafat Minhas credited disciplined bowling and trust in his strengths for his match-winning six-wicket haul as Pakistan secured an 87-run victory in the One-day International tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Speaking to PCB Digital after the match, Hasan said he had planned to play positively from the outset, even as Pakistan’s innings faltered after England elected to field. The hosts were struggling at 133-5 in the 28th over before Hasan and Arafat joined forces to turn the innings around.
“Considering the way England play their cricket, I had it in mind that if we scored 300 or 320, we would have a chance,” Hasan said. “My plan was to remain positive from the first ball.”
The right-hander, who scored 79 off 74 deliveries, said England’s field placement had also offered an opportunity to attack, with both mid-on and mid-off inside the circle.
“Whenever I find myself in such a situation, I take it as a challenge,” he said. “If you want to make a name for yourself, you have to score runs against big teams. I try to take pressure and challenges positively.”
Hasan’s approach helped Pakistan recover from a difficult position as he and Arafat added 78 runs for the sixth wicket. Arafat made 59 off 58 balls before combining with Faheem Ashraf, whose 39 off 26 deliveries helped Pakistan finish on 302-9.
Hasan was quick to acknowledge his partner’s contribution, praising Arafat’s efforts with both bat and ball.
“Our plan was to build a partnership, whoever came in,” he said. “The way Arafat played alongside me deserves credit. We had it in mind that we would get to 300, God willing.”
Pakistan’s recovery proved vital after England’s openers, Tom Banton and Ben Duckett, put on 91 runs in just over 14 overs during the chase. But Hasan said the home side never appeared to lose belief despite the visitors’ strong start.
“The way they started was very good, but the best thing was that none of our players had body language suggesting we had lost,” he said. “Everyone was trying to put in an effort. We were fighting for every single ball.”
That fight was led with the ball by Arafat, who claimed six wickets for 40 runs in 8.4 overs as England were bowled out for 215. He said the plan was to keep things simple and make the most of the assistance available to the spinners.
“My plan was to target the stumps and focus on the spin and help I was getting from the pitch,” Arafat said. “The captain’s instructions were simple: bowl in good areas, build pressure and try to bowl as many dot balls as possible.”
Arafat said communication with fellow spinner Saim Ayub had helped him understand the conditions before he came on to bowl.
“Saim had bowled before me and told me that the ball was holding on the surface,” he said. “Communication on the field is very important, and it helps you a lot. I backed my strengths and made use of the assistance I was getting.”
Among his six wickets, the dismissal of England captain Harry Brook stood out. Arafat bowled Brook for five with a delivery that gripped and straightened, checking England’s attempt to rebuild after losing Banton.
“For a left-arm spinner, that is a dream delivery,” he said. “I think it was a crucial wicket at that stage because we did not want them to build a partnership. It will remain a memorable ball for me.”
The performance had added significance for Arafat at Rawalpindi, where he made his debut and took five wickets. Against England, he bettered that return with six, before running out Gus Atkinson to complete the victory.
“I never thought I would produce two of my best bowling performances at Pindi Stadium,” he said. “I made my debut here and took five wickets then. Today, I took six against England. It is a memorable moment in my career.”
Arafat also stressed that he had approached his batting partnership with Hasan with the same confidence he carried into his bowling.
“We knew we needed a partnership, and we wanted to take the match deep,” he said. “We backed our strengths, knowing we could find a boundary in any over.”
With two wins behind them, Arafat said Pakistan would look to carry their momentum into the Lahore leg of the tri-series, adapting their combination to the conditions. For now, he said, his focus remained on fulfilling his role in both departments.
“When I bowl, I see myself as a proper bowler, and when I bat, I see myself as a proper batter,” he said. “The team expects me to do my job, and I try to back my abilities.”
Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2026
