As a batting unit, we were unable to execute our plans - Mohammad Nawaz

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Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz was quite impressive with his bowling performance. He took four crucial wickets of New Zealand batters to restrict them under 300 runs in the second ODI played at the National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi.

Mohammad Nawaz was brilliant with the ball but failed to execute with the bat at that time when Babar Azam needed a crucial partnership.

ALSO READ: Conway hits hundred as New Zealand thump Pakistan to level series

The Blackcaps were bowled out for 261 runs with a standout performance by Devon Conway, who scored his second ODI century, and skipper Kane Williamson who helped put up a decent target.

In reply, skipper Babar Azam was left alone as no other batter stood tall against the New Zealand ballers and were restricted to under 200 runs.

During the press conference, Mohammad Nawaz stated that we failed to execute our plans throughout the second innings.

"Apart from the typical pitches in Karachi, the current pitch condition during the ODI series has a little more bounce and turn, and this turns out to be the main reason why both the teams were unable to play their complete innings and the way Babar Azam was playing, you can see conditions were quite difficult and early on we end up losing two quick wickets we were trying to play steady but failed to execute our plans," said Nawaz.

"As a batting unit, we were unable to execute our plans, no doubt they bowled quite brilliantly throughout the innings, but we still hope we can clinch the series and try to win the last game," he maintained.

 When asked about the major role of toss in certain conditions like these, Mohammad Nawaz said: 

"We cannot give an excuse about the toss because, as a professional, we have to play in every condition, but the way the pitch was behaving, we saw a lot of turns and bounce throughout the second innings during the first ODI as well, so yes toss does play a vital role and will look forward in the final match."

Nawaz also answered about working on his bowling skills as ICC ODI World Cup 2023, which is scheduled in India, approaches.

"I am working on my bowling; as a bowler, you have to fulfill your team's expectations, and I always try whenever the team needs me or whatever the conditions appear. I bowl accordingly, and as World Cup is a few months away, so series by series, I am trying to improve myself as an all-rounder," said Nawaz.

Speaking about the missed chances that ended up resulting in defeat for the Men in Green, Mohammad Nawaz said, "We were quite low with our fielding as compared to the first ODI we dropped main catches of both Devon Conway and Kane Williamson, who went on to score crucial runs, indeed I was quite happy after dismissing Williamson."

Reminder for all is that this was New Zealand's first ODI win in Pakistan since 1996. The series is now level 1-1 with the final match to be played in Karachi on January 13, 2023.