Hasan Nawaz is a right-handed Pakistan international batter known for clean ball-striking and an aggressive approach. His 96 from 51 balls against India in the Asian Games 2026 men's cricket final brought him renewed attention, but the innings was another major chapter in a career that had already produced international and franchise records.
Hasan Nawaz's 96 Against India
In the Asian Games 2026 men's cricket final at Korogi Sports Park, India posted 211/6, with Abhishek Sharma scoring 61 and Tilak Varma finishing unbeaten on 51. Pakistan's chase lost momentum during the first half of the innings, but Nawaz counterattacked to keep the target within reach.
He scored 96 from 51 deliveries, hitting five fours and seven sixes. Nawaz reached his half-century from 28 balls and fought until the final delivery, when he was dismissed four runs short of a century. Pakistan finished on 192/6, giving India a 19-run victory and the gold medal.
Asian Games Final at a Glance
India: 211/6 in 20 overs
Pakistan: 192/6 in 20 overs
Hasan Nawaz: 96 from 51 balls
Result: India won by 19 runs
Who Is Hasan Nawaz?
Born on 21 August 2002, Nawaz developed his game through tape-ball cricket before moving into organised cricket in Islamabad. He is a tall, powerful right-handed batter who can operate in the top or middle order and also bowls right-arm medium pace.
His professional rise began in Pakistan's domestic system. Performances in the Kashmir Premier League and National T20 Cup led to opportunities in the Pakistan Super League, first with Islamabad United and later with Quetta Gladiators.
Record-Breaking Start to International Cricket
Nawaz made his T20I debut against New Zealand on 16 March 2025. After two ducks in his first two matches, he responded in extraordinary fashion in the third T20I, scoring an unbeaten 105 from 45 balls as Pakistan chased 205 in only 16 overs.
He reached his hundred from 44 balls—the fastest men's T20I century by a Pakistan batter at the time—surpassing Babar Azam's previous national mark of 49 balls. That innings included ten fours and seven sixes and established Nawaz as more than a promising domestic hitter.
PSL Breakthrough With Quetta Gladiators
His power game was also evident during the 2025 Pakistan Super League. Nawaz made an unbeaten 64 in a tense chase against Islamabad United and followed it with 100 not out from 45 balls in Quetta Gladiators' record 263/3. The century featured nine sixes and came during the first PSL innings in which two batters scored hundreds.
Those performances demonstrated two sides of his batting: the patience to finish a difficult chase and the range to dominate when a platform had been established.
Why the 96 Matters
The Asian Games final did not end with a Pakistan victory, but Nawaz's innings stood out because of the situation. Pakistan needed 212 against an experienced Indian attack and had reached only 76/3 after ten overs. His late acceleration gave Pakistan a chance deep into the contest.
It also reinforced the qualities that define him: fast hands, confidence against spin and the ability to clear the boundary without needing a long settling period. The challenge ahead is to turn those explosive innings into consistent performances across international formats.
Key Hasan Nawaz Facts
- Born: 21 August 2002.
- Role: right-handed batter; right-arm medium bowler.
- Pakistan T20I debut: 16 March 2025 against New Zealand.
- Fastest Pakistan men's T20I century: 44 balls against New Zealand in March 2025.
- Asian Games 2026 final: 96 from 51 balls against India.
Sources
- Reuters — India beat Pakistan in the Asian Games final
- ICC — Hasan Nawaz player profile
- ICC — Nawaz's record-breaking T20I hundred
- PCB — Hasan's PSL century for Quetta Gladiators
Match details and career information were checked against the cited reports and official profiles on 5 October 2026.