A Star is Born: Hasan Nawaz Shines as Pakistan Crush New Zealand

ISLAMABAD:  Hasan Nawaz made 105 runs in just 45 balls as Pakistan won against New Zealand in the third T20I in Auckland, New Zealand on Friday.  Pakistan achieved the 205 runs target in 16 overs with the loss of just one wicket.

🚨 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

Salman Agha also made 51 runs against the hosts and provided timely support to Hasan Nawaz to win the match.

Pakistan need 205 runs to win the third T20I match against New Zealand at Auckland. New Zealand made 204 runs for the loss of all wickets in their innings.  New Zealand’s Mark Chapman has added 94 runs in the total and was dismissed by Shaheen Shah Afridi.

 

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Pakistan’s Haris Rauf claimed total three wickets while Shadab Khan took one wicket against the hosts.  Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first against the hosts in the third T20.

Teams

New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears.

Pakistan: Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha (c), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf.

Earlier, Pakistan’s head coach Aqib Javed has hinted at potential changes to the squad, emphasizing the need for a must-win performance in Auckland. Javed remains hopeful, believing that the adjustments will bolster their chances.

🚨 1️⃣2️⃣4️⃣-1️⃣ – This is Pakistan’s highest score at the 10-over mark of a T20I innings 🔥

Hasan Nawaz leads the belligerent charge 🏏#NZvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/BB5Nvc1x8E

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 21, 2025

In his interactions with the media, Javed stressed the importance of building a robust squad for the forthcoming Asia Cup and World Cup, asserting that experiences in challenging conditions like those in New Zealand will better equip the team for the high-stakes tournaments ahead.