CAPE TOWN – It is not only Imran Tahir that traveled all the way to South Africa for love. Fellow Pakistani Muhammad Nawaz, who will play for the Cape Town Blitz in this season’s Mzansi T20 League, is also married to a Capetonian.
Unlike Tahir though, Nawaz will not go on to the represent the Proteas as he has already represented Pakistan on 16 occasions already since his T20 International debut back in 2016.
Instead, the all-rounder is looking to make a big impact for the Blitz at his new home-ground Newlands.
"I am very happy to be in Cape Town and it is a good opportunity for me to be part of the Cape Town Blitz," Nawaz said.
"It is my second home, so it's not a different environment for me. I have been to Cape Town before but not for cricket. Hopefully, I can perform well and make this my new home. I am very excited to play my first game at Newlands and my Cape Town family will be here to watch me play for the first time," he added.
@mnawaz94 is on his way to Cape Town to let rip in the 2018 Mzansi Super League. @MSL_T20 @CT_Blitz pic.twitter.com/bNLf87gId9
— Fine Edge Cricket (@FineEdgeCricket) November 9, 2018
Nawaz arrived in the country on Wednesday, but got straight down to work under the watchful eye of coach Ashwell Prince in preparation for Friday’s much-anticipated opener against the Tshwane Spartans.
"I had a good session in the nets where I batted and bowled a little longer than usual as I am trying to adapt to the conditions.
The pitches here has more bounce, so as a bowler you have to change your line and length, and as a batsman, you have to pick the correct shots," Nawaz stated.