Hassan Nawaz
Player Information
Player Overview
Hassan Nawaz is a Pakistan batter who returns to Desert Vipers for DP World ILT20 Season 5. The right-handed batter was part of the Vipers squad that won the Season 4 championship and was brought back on 16 October 2026 as a replacement for England batter Aneurin Donald. Donald withdrew after being selected for England’s T20I series in Australia. Hassan enters the new ILT20 campaign with recent experience for Pakistan and in franchise T20 competitions.
Playing Style
Hassan is a right-handed batter who has been used in several positions rather than being restricted to one role. Desert Vipers noted that he has batted for Pakistan from opener down to number six in T20Is. During Season 4, the Vipers used him as a finisher, a role that requires a batter to score quickly near the end of an innings. His international record also includes success at the top of the order, giving his team flexibility when deciding the batting order.
International Career and Record T20I Century
Hassan’s early Pakistan career included one of the fastest starts to a T20I innings by a Pakistan batter. Against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on 21 March 2025, he scored an unbeaten 105 from 45 balls. He reached his century from 44 balls, which was Pakistan’s fastest T20I hundred at the time. The innings included 10 fours and seven sixes and helped Pakistan chase 205 with nine wickets remaining. It came in only his third T20I appearance.
Which Team Does Hassan Nawaz Play for in ILT20?
Hassan Nawaz plays for Desert Vipers in DP World ILT20 Season 5. He was not one of the Vipers’ original auction recruits for the new season. Instead, the franchise called him back into the squad after Aneurin Donald became unavailable. The move means Hassan continues with the same franchise he represented during its first ILT20 championship-winning season.
Hassan Nawaz’s ILT20 Record
Hassan played 13 matches for Desert Vipers during the latest completed ILT20 season. The franchise specifically highlighted his fielding contribution, recording 12 catches in those 13 matches. Desert Vipers also confirmed that he was used in a finishing role during Season 4. He was therefore already familiar with the team and its setup before being recalled for the Season 5 title defence.
Form Before ILT20 Season 5
Hassan arrives for Season 5 after playing in other major T20 competitions during 2026. Desert Vipers reported that he scored 291 runs in the Pakistan Super League at a strike rate of 134.1. He later scored 220 runs for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the Caribbean Premier League, finishing joint-highest for the franchise alongside Evin Lewis. Those performances were among the reasons highlighted by the Vipers when announcing his return.
Hassan Nawaz in ILT20 Season 5
Desert Vipers begin their Season 5 title defence against MI Emirates at Dubai International Stadium on 21 November 2026. Hassan returns as a batter with previous experience in the Vipers setup, but no Season 5 statistics are available yet because the tournament has not started. His runs, appearances and other performance figures for the new campaign should be added only after he has played in Season 5.