Hasan Nawaz
Auckland, March 2025 – A sensational debut T20I century by Hasan Nawaz and a stellar performance from Pakistan’s pacers helped the visitors thrash New Zealand by nine wickets in the third T20I at Auckland. Chasing 204 runs, Pakistan reached the target in just 16 overs, keeping the five-match series alive at 2-1 with two games to go.
This match will be remembered for Hasan Nawaz’s explosive knock, as the 22-year-old opener smashed a 44-ball century, becoming the fastest Pakistani to score a T20I hundred, surpassing Babar Azam’s 49-ball ton against South Africa in 2021. He also became the first Pakistan batter to score a T20I century in fewer than 45 balls, announcing his arrival on the international stage in style.
New Zealand’s Power-Packed Start and Middle-Order Resistance
After Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl, the Kiwi openers started aggressively. However, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf struck early to dismiss Tim Seifert (19 off 9 balls) and Finn Allen (0), reducing New Zealand to 43/2 in 4.1 overs.
A 55-run partnership between Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell steadied the innings. Chapman was in sublime touch, reaching his half-century in 29 balls with seven fours and a six. However, Shadab Khan’s brilliance in the field resulted in Mitchell’s dismissal for 17 off 11 balls, leaving New Zealand at 98/3 in 9.1 overs.
New Zealand crossed 100 runs in 9.4 overs, and Chapman continued his charge, smashing Abbas Afridi and Salman Agha for boundaries and sixes. However, James Neesham fell cheaply (3 runs), giving Abbas his first wicket.
The breakthrough moment came when Shaheen Afridi dismissed Chapman for 94 (44 balls, 11 fours, 4 sixes) with a well-directed short ball. New Zealand was now 141/5 in 12.5 overs.
Despite wickets falling at regular intervals, Michael Bracewell’s quickfire 31 off 18 balls helped the Kiwis reach 200 runs in 19 overs before being bowled out for 204 in 19.5 overs.
