Hafeez Hails Hassan Nawaz's 96 But Flags Tactical Errors in India Final Defeat

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has criticised the tactical decisions in the Asian Games men’s cricket final against India, saying errors in the big moments overshadowed the team’s effort, while singling out Hassan Nawaz for his brilliant 96.

Pakistan lost the final by 19 runs in Nisshin on Saturday, restricted to 192 for six chasing India’s 211 for six, and had to settle for their first-ever silver medal in the competition.

Hafeez points to errors after India defeat

Taking to X after the final, Hafeez suggested the team’s planning on the night fell short, even as he praised the 24-year-old who nearly carried Pakistan home.

“Some tactical errors ruin many good efforts during the game. M sure no one will accept those as always therefore we halted as team. Nevertheless superb batting display by very talented Hassan Nawaz,” he wrote.

A record-breaking Hassan Nawaz 96

Nawaz walked in with Pakistan reeling and produced one of the great Pakistan-India innings. His 96 off 51 balls, with seven sixes and five fours, is now the highest individual score by a Pakistani batter against India in a T20I, equalling the national record for the most sixes in a T20I innings.

He reached his fifty off 28 balls and kept Pakistan in the chase until the final delivery, when he was dismissed four runs short of a century that would have been the first ever in a Pakistan-India men’s T20I. His strike rate of 188.24 told the story of an innings played entirely on the attack.

The knock continued a strong tournament for Nawaz, whose previous T20 appearance before the semi-final against Bangladesh had come back in November last year.

How the final slipped away

India, put in to bat after Shreyas Iyer won the toss, posted 211 for six on the back of rapid half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma, who made 61 off 28 balls, and Tilak Varma, unbeaten on 51 off 22. Pakistan’s bowlers Arafat Minhas and Ahmed Daniyal took two wickets each.

Pakistan’s chase never recovered from the loss of their top order, including captain Sahibzada Farhan, inside seven overs with only 39 on the board. An 87-run stand between Nawaz and Saim Ayub, who made 29, revived hopes, but once Ayub fell in the 15th over, Nawaz was left with too much to do alone and India closed the game out.

What Hafeez’s criticism means

Hafeez stopped short of naming the specific decisions he felt were wrong, but his post captured a familiar frustration: a brave individual performance papering over collective shortcomings. For a young Pakistan side, the silver medal is a milestone, yet the sense remains that sharper tactics could have turned a 19-run defeat into gold.

Frequently asked questions

What did Mohammad Hafeez say after the final?

He wrote on X that tactical errors ruined good efforts during the game and were never acknowledged, while praising Hassan Nawaz’s superb batting display.

How many runs did Hassan Nawaz score in the final?

Nawaz scored 96 off 51 balls with seven sixes and five fours, the highest individual score by a Pakistani batter against India in a T20I.

What was the result of the Asian Games men’s cricket final?

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs. India made 211 for six and Pakistan finished on 192 for six, taking their first-ever silver medal in the event.

Who were India’s top performers in the final?

Abhishek Sharma smashed 61 off 28 balls and Tilak Varma made an unbeaten 51 off 22 as India posted 211 for six after being put in to bat.