Pakistan’s bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has opened up about his competition, for a spot in the national side’s playing XI, with fellow all-rounder Imad Wasim.

While speaking to Cricket Pakistan in an exclusive interview, Nawaz said that he is keen on improving himself as a cricketer rather than thinking about competition with Imad.

“This competition [for a place in the side], at the end of the day, benefits Pakistan team. I don’t think too much about it [competition with Imad Wasim] as I’m focused on doing what’s in my hands; which is improving myself as a cricketer by putting in the hard yards,” said Nawaz. 

He was also optimistic about Quetta Gladiators’ chances in the remaining matches of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) season six. He also backed the side’s spin department to do well in the event.

“We didn’t perform well in the first leg but this is a fresh start now. Hopefully, the momentum which was going against us will turn in our favour. We are keen on winning four out of the five remaining matches, inorder to go through,” he said.

“Our spin department is very strong with the likes of Zahid [Mehmood], Zahir Khan and myself. The pitches in UAE also favour spinners so we will try to help our team win matches,” he added.

Although, Nawaz admitted that the dew factor will make life difficult for the spinners.

“Dew makes bowling difficult for spinners but as professionals we have to deal with it. We have played in such conditions in the past so we will have to adjust accordingly. It will, no doubt, benefit the batsmen but we will try to adapt to the conditions,” he said.

He also praised the captaincy of Quetta skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed, stating that it keeps the side motivated on the field.

“I have played a lot of my cricket under Saifee [Sarfaraz Ahmed] bhai’s leadership. His aggressive captaincy style keeps the morale of the team high and instils fighting spirit within the side,” he said.

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The left-armer also shed light on the importance of HBL PSL matches in Abu Dhabi, bearing in mind that the T20 World Cup, later this year, is likely to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as well. 

“PSL 6 taking place in Abu Dhabi is a very good sign for us [Pakistan], ahead of the T20 World Cup. We have played a lot of cricket in the UAE, in the past, as it was our home ground. The conditions suit us and hopefully we will do well during the tournament,” he said.  

He also backed Quetta teammate Azam Khan’s inclusion in the national side for the tour of England and West Indies.

“Azam Khan is a very good cricketer has proved himself over the past two to three years. He has now gone to the next level after inclusion in Pakistan team. But his real test begins now because it is not too difficult to get into Pakistan team as compared to maintaining your place in the side in the long run,” he said. “I have seen him put him in the hard yards, in the gym and on the field, and he seems very keen on playing for Pakistan for a long time.”