Pakistan stun New Zealand as record Nawaz century blows open T20I series

In the third Twenty20, Pakistan defeated New Zealand by nine wickets to keep the series alive, opening star Hasan Nawaz recorded a record-breaking maiden century.

In Auckland on Friday, Nawaz returned with a stunning and unbeaten 105 in response to New Zealand’s 204-1 in response to the tourists, who had already scored a duck in each of his two opening games.

The 23-year-old’s 44 balls were the fastest by any Pakistan player in a T20 international.

After suffering heartbreaking defeats in Christchurch and Dunedin, it ensured his team’s bold reversal of form by hitting the target with four full overs.

Nawaz was strengthened by Pakistani support.

Nawaz expressed gratitude for the support he received in the series’ first two matches, which included two ducks.

The Pakistan opener told TNT Sports, “After one run, the pressure was released and I just wanted to win the game.”

Following disappointments at the 2024 T20 World Cup and the recent host nation’s Champions Trophy, Pakistan controversially eliminated Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam from the series as part of a reshuffle.

Salman Ali Agha, who took over as Rizwan’s captain earlier this month, remarked, “We played a good game, the bowlers bowled really well, and yes, we made changes, but if you back youngsters, they will come good.”

With a stunning knock that included a number of audacious ramp shots, Nawaz put his early failures behind him.

The right-hander drilled 10 fours and seven sixes into the short Eden Park boundaries, earning Kyle Jamieson four more times in the 16th over.

Nawaz reached 100 on the first of those shots, five balls faster than Babar Azam’s previous 2021 World Cup record-holder.

Mohammad Haris, the opener, was the only one to score 41 points off 20 while Salman Agha, the captain, was unbeaten at 51 points.

Pakistan’s challenge to Chapman was met by

After Mark Chapman hit a quick 94 in their final over, New Zealand appeared to be in good shape.

After being asked to bat, Chapman won the match, tallying 11 fours and four sixes out of just 44 balls faced.

Other than Michael Bracewell’s 31-man batsmen, the rest of the home side’s batsmen struggled to get things moving.

Haris Rauf, a veteran seamer, bowled Bracewell for Pakistan, and it was the best 3-29 overall.

At the post-game ceremony, Bracewell remarked, “When a guy plays like that it’s pretty tough. The way Nawaz played was unbelievable.”

On Sunday, Mount Maunganui will host Game 4 of the five-game series.