Pakistan’s young sensation, Hassan Nawaz, made history with a record-breaking century, keeping the five-match T20I series alive with a commanding nine-wicket victory over New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland. The 22-year-old opener showcased an incredible display of power-hitting, smashing his way to a 44-ball century—the fastest T20I hundred by a Pakistani player—helping his side chase down a daunting target of 205 in just 16 overs. The comprehensive win meant Pakistan reduced the series deficit to 2-1, giving them a much-needed boost ahead of the remaining fixtures.
New Zealand’s Promising Start Led by Chapman’s Brilliance
Opting to bat first on a flat pitch with true bounce, New Zealand got off to a mixed start as they lost aggressive opener Finn Allen early. The dynamic batter, who has been a key player for the Black Caps, fell victim to a stunning one-handed catch by Haris Rauf at short fine leg. Tim Seifert, coming in at No.3, couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity either, miscuing a pull shot to mid-on off Rauf’s bowling.
With the score at 28/2 in the third over, New Zealand needed someone to steady the innings, and Mark Chapman stepped up brilliantly. The left-hander played with exceptional composure, mixing calculated aggression with smart placement. Chapman unleashed his full range of strokes, punishing anything remotely loose from the Pakistani bowlers. He brought up his fifty off just 24 balls, keeping the scoreboard ticking while wickets fell at the other end.
While Chapman found the boundary consistently, Pakistan’s fielding let them down, with a couple of dropped catches allowing the left-hander to make the most of his opportunities. Despite losing partners at regular intervals, Chapman continued his onslaught, hammering 94 runs off just 44 deliveries, including seven sixes and five boundaries. Just as he seemed set to propel New Zealand past the 220-mark, Shaheen Afridi delivered the crucial breakthrough, deceiving Chapman with a well-disguised slower ball that resulted in a mistimed shot straight to long-off.
The dismissal triggered a mini-collapse as New Zealand slipped from 135/3 to 164/7 within a span of three overs. Wrist-spinner Abrar Ahmed played a key role in Pakistan’s comeback, claiming two vital wickets, including bowling out Mitchell Hay and Kyle Jamieson with googlies. However, the late resistance from skipper Michael Bracewell (31 off 18) and Ish Sodhi helped the hosts cross the 200-run mark, finishing at 204 in 19.5 overs.
Haris Rauf was the standout bowler for Pakistan, picking up 3/29 in his four-over spell, while Abbas Afridi (2/24) and Shaheen Afridi (2/38) also made crucial contributions. Shadab Khan chipped in with a key wicket, dismissing the dangerous Daryl Mitchell.
Hassan Nawaz and Pakistan’s Ruthless Chase
Chasing 205 on a ground known for its high-scoring encounters, Pakistan needed a strong start—and that’s exactly what they got. Mohammad Haris wasted no time in taking the attack to New Zealand’s bowlers, smashing two sixes in the opening over off Kyle Jamieson to set the tone. His aggressive approach allowed his opening partner, Hassan Nawaz, to settle in before launching into his own fireworks display.
Haris continued his attacking strokeplay, racing to 41 off just 20 deliveries before falling to a short ball from Jacob Duffy. By then, Pakistan had already stormed to 74/1 at the end of the Powerplay, well ahead of the required run rate.
With Haris back in the pavilion, all eyes turned to Nawaz, and the young batter did not disappoint. He played fearlessly, displaying a wide array of shots, including powerful pulls, delicate scoops, and textbook cover drives. He capitalized on anything in his arc, punishing both pace and spin with equal authority. New Zealand’s fielding lapses further added to their misery, with Ish Sodhi dropping a crucial chance at fine leg when Nawaz was on 68.
Captain Agha Salman, batting at No.3, provided excellent support, ensuring there were no jitters in the chase. The duo rotated the strike effectively while punishing the bad deliveries, making full use of the dew factor that made gripping the ball difficult for New Zealand’s bowlers. As the asking rate dropped to just over eight runs per over, Nawaz accelerated further, bringing up his century in just 44 balls—a record-breaking feat for Pakistan in T20I cricket.
Pakistan needed just a few more strokes to complete a famous win, and Nawaz ensured there were no hiccups, finishing unbeaten on 105 off 48 balls, laced with 10 sixes and 6 boundaries. Salman remained not out on a solid 51 off 31 balls as Pakistan reached the target with four overs to spare.
A Statement Victory for Pakistan
This emphatic victory not only kept Pakistan alive in the series but also sent a strong message about their T20I capabilities. The team showed resilience after a tough couple of matches, and their aggressive intent with the bat will boost their confidence heading into the remaining games.
For New Zealand, the loss will be a wake-up call. While Chapman’s innings was a bright spot, their bowling unit struggled under pressure, and fielding lapses proved costly. Captain Michael Bracewell will need to regroup his team and address these shortcomings ahead of the fourth T20I.
The series now stands at 2-1 in favor of New Zealand, with Pakistan having all the momentum heading into the next fixture. If Nawaz and his teammates continue their red-hot form, this series could turn into a thrilling contest right until the end.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand – 204 in 19.5 overs (Mark Chapman 94; Haris Rauf 3-29, Abbas Afridi 2-24)
Pakistan – 207/1 in 16 overs (Hassan Nawaz 105*, Agha Salman 51*)
Result: Pakistan won by nine wickets.
