Hasan Nawaz smashes record ton as Pakistan crushes NZ by nine wickets

Hasan Nawaz lit up Eden Park with a sensational display of power-hitting, smashing Pakistan’s fastest-ever T20I century and guiding his side to a thumping nine-wicket win over New Zealand in the third T20I on Friday.

His explosive unbeaten knock not only broke national records but also kept the series alive with two matches remaining.

Set a daunting target of 205 runs, Pakistan’s chase was spearheaded by the 22-year-old opener, who blazed his way to a maiden T20I hundred in just 44 deliveries.

By doing so, Hasan eclipsed the previous record held by Babar Azam, who had reached a T20I ton in 49 balls against South Africa in 2021.

Hasan’s innings was a spectacle of clean and aggressive hitting, as he pummeled seven towering sixes and cracked 10 boundaries in his 105 off only 45 balls.

Opening the innings alongside Mohammad Haris, Hasan ensured Pakistan got off to a flier. The pair put New Zealand’s bowlers under immense pressure right from the start, setting the tone for a memorable chase.

Haris was particularly aggressive during the powerplay, hammering a rapid 41 off 20 balls before he fell, but not before ensuring Pakistan reached their highest powerplay score in T20I history—75 runs for the loss of one wicket in just six overs.

Haris’s whirlwind innings was crucial in building early momentum. He took full advantage of the fielding restrictions, playing audacious strokes all around the park. His dismissal, however, did not slow Pakistan down.

The aggressive intent continued with captain Salman Ali Agha joining Hasan Nawaz at the crease. The two stitched together a magnificent unbroken 133-run partnership, taking Pakistan home with ease.

Salman played the perfect supporting role to Hasan, showing class and composure in his unbeaten 51 off 31 balls.

His innings included two sixes and six boundaries, and his ability to rotate the strike while also finding the fence ensured the pressure stayed on the hosts.

Together, Salman and Hasan completed the chase in just 16 overs, finishing at 205/1 to record a dominant victory.

Earlier in the evening, Mark Chapman had put New Zealand in a strong position with a blistering 94 off 44 balls.

After being asked to bat first, Chapman made the most of Eden Park’s short boundaries, hammering 11 fours and four sixes in a ferocious innings.

His aggressive approach lifted New Zealand to a competitive total, but his dismissal just shy of a well-deserved century halted the home side’s surge in the death overs.

Chapman fell attempting to clear the infield off a slower delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi, only to be caught at short third man.

It was a turning point, as New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals thereafter and could not finish the innings with the acceleration they would have hoped for.

Captain Michael Bracewell was the only other batter to offer resistance, contributing a handy 31 runs.

The rest of the New Zealand batting order struggled to build momentum, and their innings ended on 204 with one ball remaining.

Pakistan’s bowlers showed discipline after the powerplay, especially experienced pacer Haris Rauf, who picked up three wickets for 29 runs, including the key scalp of Bracewell.

Pakistan’s decision to bring back leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed and pacer Abbas Afridi for this match paid immediate dividends.

Both bowlers, who sat out the previous defeat in Dunedin, made significant impacts — each claiming two wickets and controlling the middle overs effectively.

On the other hand, New Zealand made a solitary change to their lineup, recalling tall fast bowler Kyle Jamieson in place of Zak Foulkes.

Jamieson had been instrumental in New Zealand’s comfortable victory in the opening match at Christchurch, where he picked up three wickets.

However, he was unable to replicate that success this time around, as Pakistan’s top order attacked all bowlers with intent.

Despite Chapman’s brilliance with the bat, the hosts fell short with the ball and on the field, failing to contain Pakistan’s aggressive chase.

The third T20I result means Pakistan stay alive in the five-match series, having suffered heavy losses in the first two encounters.

The series now moves to Mount Maunganui for the fourth T20I, where both sides will be looking to either seal the series or force a decider.