A fiery century by Hasan Nawaz and top-class performances from pacers helped Pakistan preserve the collection alive, beating New Zealand by 9 wickets within the third T20I at Auckland on Friday. Replying to New Zealand’s 204 runs, Pakistan achieved the goal in 16 overs. With this win, the five-match collection stands at 2-1, with two matches left. Nawaz hit his first T20I ton in 44 balls, quickest by a Pakistan participant, overtaking Babar Azam’s 49-ball ton in opposition to South Africa in 2021. Nawaz is now the first-ever Pakistan participant to attain a T20I in lower than 45 balls. Hassan Nawaz is 22 and is enjoying his debut T20I collection.
CENTURY IN HIS THIRD T20I
Hasan Nawaz smacks the FASTEST T20I hundred by a Pakistan batter, off 44 balls #NZvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/UTduvlnxM4
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 21, 2025
Pakistan received the toss and elected to discipline first. Kiwis misplaced their openers Tim Seifert (19 in 9 balls, with a 4 and two sixes) and Finn Allen (0) early to the pair of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi and have been decreased to 43/2 in 4.1 overs.
Then, a 55-run stand between Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell (17 in 11 balls, with a 4 and 6) helped the Kiwis stabilise their innings with Chapman accumulating boundaries and sixes in opposition to tempo and spin alike, reaching his half-century in 29 balls, with seven fours and a six. Shadab Khan broke the partnership, eradicating Mitchell with a advantageous catch by Haris Rauf. New Zealand was 98/3 in 9.1 overs.
New Zealand introduced up their 100 runs in 9.4 overs.
Chapman looted extra runs in opposition to Abbas Afridi and Salman Agha, hitting them for a 4 and 6 every. Nevertheless, Abbas eliminated the dangerman James Neesham for simply three. New Zealand have been 135/4 in 11.5 overs.
A vanguard in direction of the backward level landed within the palms of Shadab, with Shaheen producing the breakthrough wicket of Chapman for 94 in 44 balls, with 11 fours and 4 sixes. New Zealand have been 141/5 in 12.5 overs.
Whereas wickets saved falling, Michael Bracewell performed a helpful cameo of 31 in 18 balls, with three fours and two sixes. Kiwis reached the 200-run mark in 19 overs.
Kiwis made 204 in 19.5 overs, with Ben Sears (7*) unbeaten.
Rauf (3/29) and Shaheen (2/36) delivered stable spells, whereas Abrar Ahmed was costly in his three-over spell of two/43. Abbas additionally bought two wickets whereas Shadab bought only one.
Pakistan began their chase with Mohammed Haris smashing Kyle Jamieson for 2 sixes within the first over. Hasan additionally joined the occasion some time later, citing the 50-run mark in 4 overs.
A advantageous catch by Mitch Hay on a Jacob Duffy bouncer eliminated Haris for 41 in 20 balls, with 5 fours and three sixes. Pakistan have been 74/1 in 5.5 overs.
Hasan reached his maiden fifty in 26 balls, with 4 boundaries and 4 sixes, citing Pakistan’s 100 in 8.1 overs and unleashed two fours and a six in opposition to Sears within the tenth over.
Skipper Agha continued to play a advantageous knock as properly, smoking Duffy for 2 sixes and a 4 within the thirteenth over, citing Pakistan’s 150-run mark in 12.2 overs.
Towards Ish Sodhi within the 14th over, Agha smashed a hat-trick of fours, citing the century stand in 47 balls.
Salman accomplished his half-century in 30 balls, with six fours and two sixes.
After two geese within the first two video games, Nawaz hit his first T20I ton with 9 fours and 7 sixes. He additionally hit the profitable shot, with Pakistan ending at 207/1 in 16 overs. Agha (51* in 31 balls) remained unbeaten on the opposite finish.
Subjects talked about on this article
