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Hasan Nawaz’s fiery century and brilliant display of fast bowling by the pace attack made it possible for Pakistan to stay in the series as they beat New Zealand by 9 wickets in the third T20I match held in Auckland on Friday. Chasing New Zealand's 204, Pakistan successfully completed the mission in 16 overs. The win brings the total for the series over the five matches to 2-1 so far with two matches still to go. Pakistan lost the earlier matches; however, they now only need to win two out of the five matches in total. Hassan Nawaz scored his first T20I century off 44 balls which was also the fastest century scored by a Pakistan player, taking over Babar Azam’s record of 49 balls during a match against South Africa in 2021. With this record, he also became the fastest ever Pakistani player to score a T20I in under 45 balls. The youngest-ever Nawaz is just 22 years of age and is making his debut T20I series.
Nawaz earned his T20I debut after his superb century in the previous match. He also made into Pakistan’s final squad for the world cup following the performance. Pakistan opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Due to the level of skill possessed by Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi, New Zealand lost their openers Tim Seifert (19 points, where he scored a four and two sixes) and Finn Allen (0) early in the pair's 4.1 overs.
Then, a 55-run partnership between Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell (17 off 11 balls, with a four and a six) allowed the Kiwis to recuperate as Chapman accumulated boundaries and sixes from both pace and spin, getting to his half-century in 29 balls comprising of seven fours and a six. Shadab Khan ended the partnership by getting Mitchell, superbly caught by Haris Rauf. New Zealand were now 98/3 in 9.1 overs.
New Zealand’s progress to 100 runs came in 9.4 overs.
Chapman licked away further runs with Abbas Afridi and Salman Agha by hitting them for a four and a six apiece. The danger man was however taken out as Abbas removed James Neesham for only three runs. New Zealand was now 135/4 after 11.5 overs.
With a leading edge going towards the backward point the hands of Shadab and Shaheen produced the breakthrough cutter of Chapman for 94 runs off 44 balls, making eleven fours and four sixes. New Zealand was then 141/5 after 12.5 overs.
Despite losing multiple wickets, Michael Bracewell chipped in with a handy 31 off 18 balls which had three fours and two sixes. Kiwis crossed the 200-run mark in 19 overs.
With Ben Sears (7*) yet to be out, the Kiwis made 204 in 19.5 overs.
Shaheen’s 2/36 and Rauf’s 3/29 were well earned, although Abrar Ahmed was rather costly in his 3 overs of 2/43. Abbas, as well as Shadab, got two and one wickets respectively.
Haris Muhammad wasted no time with Jamieson, hitting two sixes off of him in the first over. Hasan brought the 50 mark higher after some time as well, all in just over four overs.
Mitch Hay caught Haris off of Duffy’s bouncer to finish him off at 41 in 20 balls with 5 fours and three sixes. This also brings Pakistan’s score up to 74 at the 5.5 over mark.
Hasan completed a stunning 50 in just 26 balls, astonishing the audience with four fours, four sixes, and paving the way for 100 marks in 8.1 overs. Two fours and six from Sears in the 10th over only added to the excitement.
Skipper Agha lead well as always, hitting two fours and two sixes off Duffy and bringing Pakistan’s score to an incredible 150 in 12.2 overs.
Agha raised the century mark with a hat-trick of fours against Ishi Sodhi, accomplishing this in a remarkable 47 balls.
Salman delivered nicely with six fours, two sixes, and a stunning 30 mins clock to his half century.
Nawaz scored his first T20I century with nine fours and seven sixes after scoring two ducks in the first two games. He also scored the winning shot as Pakistan ended at 207/1 in 16 overs. Agha (51* off 31) was also not out at the other end.
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