Having sat out the first two matches, he seized the opportunity by delivering a superb spell, conceding just 11 runs in 4 overs while taking 2 wickets, including a breakthrough with the very first ball of the innings to dismiss Afghan opener Sediqullah Atal. His match-winning performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
Earlier, Nasum had played only one game in the Netherlands series, where he also bagged three wickets for 21 runs and won the Player of the Match.
Speaking to the media in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, Nasum said he always stays prepared for matches and respects team planning decisions, stressing that selection is about tactical needs rather than personal concerns.
"Look, coming back and becoming Man of the Match is not something I focus on. I was also Man of the Match in the last game I played. It’s all about what the team needs, sometimes it’s our planning, our tactics, or analyzing the opposition. That’s why I don’t think too much about whether I play or not," Nasum said to media.
"Whenever the team needs someone, it depends on our team planning or tactics. Sometimes it also depends on the opposition. That’s the reason I may not play certain matches, and that’s completely fine with me."
Bangladesh, with wins over Hong Kong China and Afghanistan, now stand on the verge of progressing to the next round. Their fate depends on the outcome of the Afghanistan–Sri Lanka group-stage decider. A Sri Lanka win will ensure Bangladesh’s qualification, while an Afghanistan victory will leave the Tigers reliant on net run rate scenarios.
Nasum, however, stated the team is not supporting any side specifically.
"Whoever plays better will win. I don’t think it’s necessary to specifically support or pray for any particular team. Whatever is written in destiny will happen. We’re not overthinking it; what’s meant to be will be."
Reflecting on his own form, he added: “I always stay ready to give my best whenever I get the chance. Alhamdulillah, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. But I am always grateful to Allah for the ability to perform like this.”
